delineation

noun

di-ˌli-nē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce delineation (audio)
Definition of delineationnext
1
as in sketch
a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene his simple but striking delineations of Dutch landscapes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in description
a vivid representation in words of someone or something a finely wrought delineation of a young couple's first experience with love and loss

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 delineation What's needed is a clear delineation of roles between digital and human agents. — Sanjoy Sarkar, Forbes.com, 7 May 2026 The board approved the plan, but also is seeking a more detailed delineation of the affordable housing elements. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 There are, in fact, two major sub-genres that divide sci-fi — hard sci-fi and speculative (or soft) sci-fi — and most of the time, the delineation between the two is pretty clear. — Matthew Razak, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026 On top of that, Brewer and Brooks have the opportunity to get the security of a multi-year contract ahead of turning 30 years old, which is often the line of delineation for a NFL career. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delineation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delineation
  1. sketch
  2. description
  3. drawing
  4. portrait
  5. depiction
  6. portrayal
  7. illustration
  8. image
Noun
  • The 2017 sketch sees Matt Damon claiming to be the father of Kimmel’s child with wife Molly McNearney, and Povich was supposed to adjudicate the dispute.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
  • For pet parents who could get their pups to sit still for long enough, a portrait artist was doing colorful sketches.
    — Bridget Byrne, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of sketch
Noun
  • Wildlife officers found a female bear in the area matching the description and euthanized her, as per CPW policy.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • These form the spine of the book, interwoven with descriptions of swims of varying lengths in a very wide range of locales—rivers, waterfalls, ponds, different coves and beaches, each different and beautifully captured for the reader.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of description
Noun
  • Lottery officials have not yet announced whether a ticket matched all six numbers in the latest drawing, leaving players across the country waiting to see if a new multimillionaire has been made.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
  • These guardrails have long constrained the drawing of congressional maps.
    — Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of drawing
Noun
  • Kristinka Lazar, for example, used the time as an artistic residency to create a collection of paintings called The Gift of Being Seen, featuring 45 portraits of local villagers.
    — Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Watermelon was founded in 2024 by brothers Badie and Hamza Ali to present more complex portraits of Palestinians and Arabs.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • Attraction is the point—the promise of fulfillment, rather than its depiction, is the reward.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For her, the novel’s depiction of Haitian life in Miami is immediately recognizable.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • Did her grandmother, who comes across as stoic and pragmatic in many ways, influence her portrayal of the similarly-minded Tova?
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Vogel has previously disputed Panettiere's portrayal of their relationship.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of portrayal
Noun
  • In this photo illustration, the stock market information of Synchrony Financial displayed on a smartphone while the logo of Synchrony Financial seen in the background.
    — Hugh Son, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
  • His reinstatement as judge after Assad was toppled and fled the country for Russia in December 2024 is an illustration of the country’s pursuit of transitional justice.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustration
Noun
  • Before that, the monarchy had promoted a more secular and westernized image of women.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The images conveyed gravity, purpose and leadership in a time of existential crisis.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of image

Browse Nearby Words

delineating
delineation
delineations
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Cite this Entry

“Delineation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delineation. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on delineation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delineation

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