he limned the scene in the courtroom so perfectly I could practically see it

Recent Examples on the Web

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, "Eavan Boland in The New Yorker," 29 Apr. 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, "Bibliophiles love the mystery of a missing manuscript. ‘The Lost Book of Adana Moreau’ is just what they’re looking for.," 2 Feb. 2020

Every eloquent expanse of empty wall is limned by a trill of thin stripes defining doorjambs, drawn curtains and window frames. Washington Post, "This Edward Hopper exhibition on hotels is worth an extended stay," 28 Nov. 2019

Poupaud’s extraordinary performance here limns the ambiguity of men who are not gay with those who felt gay after their abuse. Armond White, National Review, "In By the Grace of God, Insight Surpasses PC Righteousness," 18 Oct. 2019

The politics of illness—how the profit motive determines life and damage and death; how victim blaming is enshrined; how social norms can disable and kill—have rarely been limned with such clarity and grace. Lidija Haas, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 28 Oct. 2019

Yet each bears Becker’s stamp, with impeccably precise narratives, mise-en-scènes of documentary accuracy, and characters both well-limned and inordinately sympathetic. David Mermelstein, WSJ, "The Struggles of Jacques Becker," 1 Aug. 2018

Faleiro, opposite him, beautifully limns a woman whose position between her parents on the one hand and her husband and children on the other becomes untenable because of political events beyond her control. Boyd Van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Domain' ('A herdade'): Film Review | Venice 2019," 7 Sep. 2019

Whether writing about a brief recipe pamphlet or a dense guide to household management, Tipton-Martin gives each book a generous page or more of comment, limning the biographies of the authors and celebrating their accomplishments. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, "The Best Cookbooks of the Century So Far," 14 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'limn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.