SPECIFY Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

specify

verb

ˈspe-sə-ˌfī

Definition of specify

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

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

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 specify The Yes campaign’s donation to the state Republican Party does not specify a purpose for the money. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Two-thirds of districts set the bar at D-, another 18 percent at D, and 15 percent didn’t specify at all what counted as passing. — Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026 The Navy did not specify what role each of those aircraft played in the attacks on the target ship. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026 The agreement will specify when the first payment is due, often around 30 days after the loan is funded. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for specify

Verb

Many are calling for tougher measures — part of a broader rightward shift across Latin America, where security has become a defining political issue.

— Carrie Kahn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
Abdy and De Luca represent a filmmaking approach that isn’t solely defined by sequels and CGI.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of define

Verb

For folks who test positive for the virus, medication is quickly prescribed free of charge through the National Health Service.

— Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
As more telehealth sites prescribe these medications and pitch them as a way to lose weight while saving money, some patient advocates argue that more people like Kinkade will fall through the cracks of a broken regulatory system.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of prescribe

Verb

The agency cited a local news story, whose source for its reporting was an X post from conservative activist and social media influencer Scott Presler.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
Some 40% of Gen Z respondents cited family as their route into collecting, compared with 28% overall.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of cite

Verb

The costumers have done a great job of supporting the characters; the soundtrack music, by Oli Julian, is unusual enough to notice without overwhelming the action.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
One of the homeowners noticed damage to a window screen four days later and contacted police.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

Multiple sources have indicated that the final two executives in the frame are former Sky and BBC Three boss Stuart Murphy, and David Brindley, the CEO of Destination X producer Twofour.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated that Iran may have played a role in the incident.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of indicate

Verb

Critics note the change would mean the sun rises an hour later on winter mornings, leaving more children traveling to school and commuters, construction workers, farmers and others heading to work before daylight.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
About 788,000 workers a year made similar moves between 2019 and 2022, during the pandemic, without lasting damage, the report notes.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of note

Verb

Step Back Unlike stocks and bonds, whose prices are quoted on screens across Wall Street, managers of private lenders have broad leeway to value their loans, with varying degrees of input from third-party services.

— Ellen DiMauro, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
In several messages quoted in the ruling, Seaver allegedly threatened Nozell and other people connected to Parton’s estate.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of quote

Browse Nearby Words

specifies

specify

specifying

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Style

“Specify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specify. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of specify

verb

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