LIMN Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

limn

verb

ˈlim

Definition of limn

as in to describe

to give a representation or account of in words he limned the scene in the courtroom so perfectly I could practically see it

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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 limn By contrast, Borghi limns a figure of comingled sensuality, threat and eventual poignance, without ever appearing to reach for effect. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 Her poems, which have appeared in The New Yorker for over thirty years, limn the legacies of history, in her home country and beyond, and reckon especially with the repression of women’s accomplishments, realities, and inner lives. — Hannah Aizenman, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2020 Nonetheless, Democrats want to be perceived as favoring virtually universal suffrage, and to limn their conservative and Republican opposition as favoring vote suppression. — Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 3 Nov. 2020 Also stuffed not inelegantly between the microcosmic doings are several larger incidents that limn the bloody and brutal history of the two centuries, including South American totalitarianism, European pogroms and the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. — Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2020 See All Example Sentences for limn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for limn

Verb

Tribes describe the last of three waves of European incursions, nearly 85 years after Serra hung the first Mission bell in San Diego in 1769, as the most brutal.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Rodríguez described scenes of children hospitalized with amputations and survivors grieving multiple family deaths.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of describe

Verb

Barin is the hotel’s high-end teppanyaki restaurant, seating 10 people at the counter and up to 16 in booths lining a long mural hand-drawn on gold leaf depicting Osaka’s history.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Zhenwu’s roots stretch back to ancient days as the god of the North, when he was often depicted as a turtle entwined with a snake.

— Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

Definition of depict

Verb

For all her talk of women as allies, Siebel Newsom portrays conservative women who criticize other women as dupes manipulated by MAGA leaders.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Rob, who died in December at age 78, portrayed George Washington in a segment inspired by the first president’s decision to step away after two terms in office.

— Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of portray

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“Limn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limn. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of limn

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