borderline 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn How to pronounce borderline (audio)
Definition of borderlinenext
as in frontier
located at or near a border a borderline region that is claimed by both countries

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

borderline

2 of 3

adverb

as in almost
very close to but not completely your answer was borderline rude, so I would advise you to be more diplomatic in the future

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

borderline

3 of 3

noun

as in edge
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something the actual borderline separating the two properties is now being disputed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 borderline
Adjective
After some highly amusing, borderline classic sketches, this does not quite hold up as much. — Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2022 Springs’ slider is a viable third offering, a borderline average pitch, but when your top two offerings are doing work, average is just fine. — Tony Blengino, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
Adverb
Fringe-y/borderline/ticking-time-bomb people are always out there and probably have active imaginations that go way beyond what sometimes pops up in movies. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Oct. 2019 Both teams came out hitting to start Game 2 and the intensity jumped another level after McNabb’s borderline hit on Kuznetsov. — Adam Candee, Detroit Free Press, 30 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for borderline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borderline
  1. almost
  2. edge
  3. marginal
  4. practically
  5. perimeter
  6. nearly
  7. border
  8. fairly
Adverb
  • In terms of materials, Brown describes their creation as a result of her early success, pointing to 2002’s Figures in a Landscape 2, her six-foot by almost seven-foot painting that sends you back to one of Fragonard’s forest glens, with the female in the gaze of the lurking male.
    — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025
  • If UConn reaches the Elite Eight for an 18th time in the past 20 seasons, a rematch of the 2024 quarterfinal against 1-seed USC feels almost inevitable.
    — Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of almost
Noun
  • Resolution on Joey Bosa, the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher who is mulling interest from Miami.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The inability to find a disruptive pass rusher and the lack of game-changing edge rushers still available would suggest trading him would be even more detrimental to the hopes of resuscitating the pass rush.
    — Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of edge
Adjective
  • Another potential solution is to scale the robot's operations so that its marginal profitability can offset the operating costs.
    — Jeff Mahler, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Reducing personnel from six to four takes weight out of the boat and increases the likelihood of getting the F50 foiling in marginal conditions.
    — Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of marginal
Adverb
  • There were other elements the artisans created practically for the production, like a Creeper tail that Ylfa (Toni Collette) slices up and blends.
    — Abigail Lee, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
  • On one shift, Garland blocked a shot that stung him badly and was practically playing on one foot.
    — Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of practically
Noun
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Later Friday, the security perimeter was extended to 500 meters, according to the Saint Denis town hall.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of perimeter
Adverb
  • The Oklahoma charges come nearly a month after Morris asked a federal judge to dismiss a fraud lawsuit filed against him, Gateway Church and others over the church’s tithing practices, according to court documents.
    — Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2025
  • That’s a big difference—Costco shoppers visit 60% more often and spend nearly twice as much annually compared to Sam’s Club members.
    — Roger Dooley, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of nearly
Noun
  • Whatever your views on the policy, plummeting border crossings — paired with White House deportation plans — mean economic adjustment ahead.
    — Courtenay Brown, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Other countries in the EU—Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus—have their own border arrangements.
    — Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of border
Adverb
  • This fairly inconsistent exercise kept us on our toes, as different heights for the rams led to different levels of grip for the front and rear ends.
    — Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Only a few would discuss — though those that did depicted a fairly typical flip, or when a non-union production goes union mid-shoot, of a New York indie.
    — Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of fairly

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Cite this Entry

“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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