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Synonyms

by definition

Idioms  

  1. According to prior determination, as a given. For example, This antibiotic is by definition the most effective now on the market. [1970s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And by definition unexpected inflation is just that — unexpected.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

"Classified workloads are by definition opaque," said one organizing employee, who was not named in the statement.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Balance, by definition, inherently involves equal consideration of more than one point of view.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

To reach that result, the government asserted that anyone who was never legally admitted to the country must, by definition, be “seeking admission” today.

From Slate • Feb. 10, 2026

Scraping fiercely for food and shelter, mad entirely for love, by definition.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.