Delineate
hardNeutral tonedih-LIN-ee-ayt
verb
Definition
to describe or portray precisely; to outline in detail
Memory hook
deLINEate: you 'de-LINE-ate', drawing crisp LINES around an idea to outline it exactly.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The report carefully delineates the steps that led to the collapse.”
“She delineated each character's motives with a novelist's precision.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The report carefully ______ the steps that led to the collapse.”
Show answer
delineates
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Delineate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "depict" or "outline" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "obscure".
Related GRE Words
acrimonious
Bitter and sharp in language or tone; caustic
aphoristic
Containing or characterized by aphorisms; concise and memorable
aver
to state or assert to be true confidently
bombastic
High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated or pretentious language
circumlocutory
Using many words where fewer would do; roundabout in expression
compendious
Containing a lot of information in a concise form; comprehensive yet brief
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