1
as in to define
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the document specifies precisely how you may use the information it contains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to mention
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 specify
While a cause of death was not specified, Molland had faced ongoing health challenges in recent years, including a recent battle with pneumonia.
—
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 2 Mar. 2025
Pool/Getty Images/Getty Images Dr. Francis Collins, the legendary former director of the National Institutes of Health, has retired, NPR has learned.
Collins, who notified the NIH on Friday of his decision, did not specify the reasons for his departure.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 1 Mar. 2025
Although the state has yet to specify the potential obligation, the companies’ liability could include tens of millions of dollars for locating 1,4-dioxane hot spots, treating them and potentially helping to remove the chemical from Sanford and Seminole County water systems.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
The email did not specify why the locations were closed.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specify
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 2 Mar. 2025
Pool/Getty Images/Getty Images Dr. Francis Collins, the legendary former director of the National Institutes of Health, has retired, NPR has learned.
Collins, who notified the NIH on Friday of his decision, did not specify the reasons for his departure.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 1 Mar. 2025
Although the state has yet to specify the potential obligation, the companies’ liability could include tens of millions of dollars for locating 1,4-dioxane hot spots, treating them and potentially helping to remove the chemical from Sanford and Seminole County water systems.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
The email did not specify why the locations were closed.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specify
Verb
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The British duo’s songs were also defined by emotional catharsis, drawing on childhood trauma and nightmares to produce big, hooky synth pop anthems that quickly took over the charts in the U.K., and eventually the rest of the world.—
Al Shipley,
SPIN,
25 Feb. 2025
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The first step is to have your strategy and vision clearly defined.—
Tan Lin,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Reid mentioned Swift while speaking to Mike Florio and Chris Simms at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine for NFL on NBC.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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In other police matters, the sheriff briefly mentioned LVMPD’s new wellness clinic.—
Liam Hibbert | The Center Square Contributor,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The window is slightly bigger for COVID: Your provider can prescribe an antiviral medication such as Paxlovid or Lagevrio within five days of your first symptom.9 Unfortunately, there’s no antiviral treatment for RSV, said Giamalva.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
28 Feb. 2025
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Depending on your symptoms, medicines like bronchodilators or steroids may be prescribed to help manage breathing difficulties.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The lawsuit in Alabama brings a defamation claim against the woman, citing the NBC News interview.—
Julia Jacobs,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2025
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European analysts expect the auto industry to be hit hard, citing cross-border North America manufacturing operations and complex global supply chains involving Mexico.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But in the past two years, users have begun to notice advertisements for the casino taking up a sizable amount of space online.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
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Do Republicans even notice the turmoil that is gripping this country?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Asthmatic respiratory crisis indicates the pope struggled to maintain a sufficient oxygen level when breathing on his own, according to medical experts.—
Phoebe Natanson,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2025
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Research indicates that relationship satisfaction tends to decrease between the ages of 20 and 40, reaching a low point around age 40.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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One thing to note is that since Rutherford and Allvin took over in Vancouver, the club has somewhat rarely been very busy on deadline day itself — aside from minor trades involving players like Tyler Motte.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
5 Mar. 2025
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Also worth noting, flexible workplaces are vital to prevent employee turnover and boost morale.—
Bob Helbig,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Griffin quoted a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, from Christopher Miller, the Financial Times‘ Chief Correspondent in Kyiv.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2025
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The World Population Review, quoting the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) figures, stated that 27.8 per cent of households nationwide were home to a feline at the end of 2019, compared to nearly 40 per cent for dogs.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specify. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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