1
as in defining
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the document specifies precisely how you may use the information it contains
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in mentioning
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically
police reports didn't specify the model of car the robbers were driving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of specifying
The employees asked Döpfner to take a series of measures in response, including adding a disclaimer to all op-eds specifying that the author’s views do not represent those of Politico or staff.
—
Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Warsh’s filings list holdings in two funds that are valued at over $50 million, without specifying an upper limit.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
However, Microsoft’s partner portal website mysteriously said his account had been deactivated, without specifying why.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Jones posted a farewell message to social media Tuesday evening without specifying his next move.
—Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026
OpenAI’s paper conspicuously avoids specifying a corporate tax rate, a diplomatic omission that suggests the company knows where the political land mines are buried.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson said the disruption was ongoing, without specifying the exact location affected or any potential damage done.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Access and collaborative agreements — and sometimes even land return agreements — come with requirements specifying what tribes can and cannot do with the land.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
What Sheridan isn’t shy about specifying is what’s wrong with the present.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Warsh’s filings list holdings in two funds that are valued at over $50 million, without specifying an upper limit.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
However, Microsoft’s partner portal website mysteriously said his account had been deactivated, without specifying why.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Jones posted a farewell message to social media Tuesday evening without specifying his next move.
—Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026
OpenAI’s paper conspicuously avoids specifying a corporate tax rate, a diplomatic omission that suggests the company knows where the political land mines are buried.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson said the disruption was ongoing, without specifying the exact location affected or any potential damage done.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Access and collaborative agreements — and sometimes even land return agreements — come with requirements specifying what tribes can and cannot do with the land.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
What Sheridan isn’t shy about specifying is what’s wrong with the present.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specifying
Verb
-
Millions looked on as Britain's future king and queen wed on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, defining a new era for the monarchy.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The soft, sunny color is the perfect hue to transition into the warmer months, and Kristi Patterson, founder and principal designer at Grace Hill Design, says yellow is emerging as the defining color of the season.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The king's speech to Congress In his remarks to Congress, Charles at times appeared to make pointed references to Trump without mentioning him by name.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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But the fact that the movie cuts back to the staff poring over pages without ever mentioning a social-media plan, a digital breakout post, or how the video shoot of this interview will be Ginsu-ed into TikTok clips tells you how stuck in the idealized past Prada 2 is.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The board found irregularities in Ferguson’s opioid prescribing to at least three other patients.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That doctor, records show, lost his license two years later for recklessly prescribing Purdue drugs and other opioids.—
Craig R. McCoy,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities reviewed internal reports, airport security footage and employee badge access logs before the arrest, the outlet reports, citing the search warrant.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
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Goldman Sachs estimated that Qatar could see its GDP plunge by 14%, citing its lack of alternative export channels to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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January 20 – February 18 Your voice stands out today, and people are noticing.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 Your voice stands out today, and people are noticing.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Contracts are priced between 1 cent (indicating a low probability) and 99 cents (indicating a high probability), and settle at $1 if the outcome is correct.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
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Lain was part of a group of concerned residents who went to Godley Superintendent Rich Dear with information about Ketcherside’s prior convictions and evidence indicating Ketcherside was still involved in prostitution.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Outside experts generally agreed with the government’s assessment, noting that small amounts of substances such as heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment.—
Jonel Aleccia,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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An OpenAI spokesperson disputed that allegation, noting that the email the company sends to users who have been deactivated does not include information about creating a new account.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Internet access will only be restored after the war ends, the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported earlier this week, quoting Elias Hazrati, the head of Iran’s Government Information Council.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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Complaining about someone quoting President Obama, or even Governor Spanberger, accurately?—
Jahd Khalil,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specifying. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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