DELINEATE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

delineate

verb

di-ˈli-nē-ˌāt

Definition of delineate

as in to trace

to draw or make apparent the outline of the man's roly-poly shape was softly delineated by the glow of the fire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to describe

to give a representation or account of in words the story does a remarkable job of delineating the emotions that immigrants feel upon their arrival in a strange country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of delineate More importantly, part two closes an emotional circle that the first one had just begun to delineate. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 For example, the Commonwealth has never delineated the exact interval of time between Patrick leaving the home and Clancy falling out the window. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 Affordable concrete pavers from the hardware store and gravel delineate the area. — Stephen Orr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026 The magnetic pull for those whose ultimate prize is privacy and connection to nature is towards gardens, forests, fields and beachfronts that stretch into the distance, delineating possibilities. — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for delineate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delineate

Verb

The drama, now streaming, traces her evolution from grieving mother to vengeful killer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
This conceit allows Harbach to trace the development of not just his characters but his own work, through the reception of Owen’s book and through the way Westish students discuss his other authorial proxy, Edith Wharton.

— B. D. McClay, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of trace

Verb

With a laser on board, a cargo-carrying vehicle can defend itself against drones during resupply runs, a role Rheinmetall has described as protection for autonomous logistics missions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Warsh described the global shift toward tighter monetary policy as a common fight on prices.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of describe

Verb

Get timely insight into the cases, rulings, and constitutional questions defining America’s legal landscape.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
The postwar model of a large welfare and regulatory state, run by a class of civil servants charged with modernizing the economy, tempering market forces and defining the common good, has run its course.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of define

Verb

Specifically, the king created a watercolor depicting Birkhall, the British royal family’s private country residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the Balmoral estate, which was reproduced on some of the pieces in the capsule collection.

— Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
Much of the film contrasts light and dark, yet the scene depicting Robert Ford’s murder takes place in a bar housed in a tent, surrounded by snow, its interior swathed in flat, even light.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of depict

Verb

Minutes from the April 19 meeting outlined how the government opted for just one round of readiness checks before launching its emergency vaccination program due to time constraints, instead of the typical four rounds.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Trump’s post outlining a clear plan for construction complicates a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday in a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of outline

Verb

Rogers has increasingly portrayed El-Sayed as an extremist and a threat to Jewish voters as the Republican tries to win over a traditionally Democratic constituency.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Landon starred as the Ingalls family patriarch, Charles, Karen Grassle played his wife, Caroline, and Gilbert portrayed their daughter, Laura.

— Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of portray

Browse Nearby Words

delimits

delineate

delineated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Delineate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delineate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of delineate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes