defined against something

For more than 20 years, his life had been defined by the cold war and the fight against Communism.

Now the peak was clearly defined against the blue sky.

At this moment the peak was clearly defined against the sky.

The mountains, too, were sharp and clearly defined against the sky.

Soon he could see their high tops defined against the dawn sky.

Which seems somehow to have galvanized him to define himself against them.

"He has public resources available to him to promote his messages and to define himself against the mayor that the others do not."

Baby Gopal defines itself against the rock scene in one way.

If he defined himself against his enemies, then he would be no better than they were.

Malcolm felt the need to define himself against a charge of hedonism.