1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of
she carefully outlined the tree before she started drawing in the leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to summarize
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
outlined the important points in the introduction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in silhouette
a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface
place your hand on the paper and draw an outline around it
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
a printed outline of the lecture has been made available for all attendees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outline
Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2025
The sheriff on Friday outlined Arakawa's final days.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2025
The plan has strained the basic outlines of an already shaky ceasefire in Gaza following more than 15 months of war and Israeli airstrikes that have decimated the territory and killed at least 48,000 people, most of them women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
—Aya Batrawy, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outline
Verb
State and county laws require owners to register the animals with a municipal or county office and outline specific space, quality and fencing requirements for the sake of safety and the animals’ welfare.
—Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2025
The sheriff on Friday outlined Arakawa's final days.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
But Johnson won a key victory last week when Mr. Trump endorsed his chamber's budget outline.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2025
The plan has strained the basic outlines of an already shaky ceasefire in Gaza following more than 15 months of war and Israeli airstrikes that have decimated the territory and killed at least 48,000 people, most of them women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
—Aya Batrawy, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline
Verb
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The Louvre’s debut fashion exhibit spotlights precious objects from the Byzantine era to the Second French Empire, tracing their influence on designer clothing.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
9 Mar. 2025
-
With that lead, investigators traced the mummy to a film production company that had purchased it in the ’60s.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Comer summarized Denver’s 2017 policy — mentioned below — which prohibits local law enforcement and jail deputies from aiding in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.—
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton,
The Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2025
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Still, Trump is expected to use the opportunity to summarize his early second-term accomplishments.—
Faith E. Pinho,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Courtesy of Crate & Barrel Arnold approached his Crate & Kids line with longevity in mind, balancing playful motifs with sophisticated silhouettes and muted colors that adapt fluidly from toddlerhood into the tween years.—
Morgan Goldberg,
Architectural Digest,
13 Mar. 2025
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Its vertical silhouette allows easy access to your phone, while the floral design adds a seasonable twist to the crossbody.—
Melony Forcier,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For instance, generative AI can help teams with client notes and call summaries.—
Nikolaus Kimla,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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South-Point asked city hall to shut down two segments of Craig linking Loop 820 to nearby residential neighborhoods — Haynie Street to the east and Putnam Street to the west — allowing its crews to install fiber optic, water and sewer lines beneath the road, according to the city’s project summary.—
Jaime Moore-Carrillo,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines atmospheric rivers as long, narrow corridors in the atmosphere that carry large amounts of water vapor.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
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Under Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force has defined a highly effective strategy; corresponding operational concepts and technologies; and a new training regimen to ensure U.S. equities in space are secured.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some legal analysts suggest that the Constitution itself is unclear on the precise contours of the relationship between executive and legislative authority.—
Christine Adams / Made by History,
TIME,
13 Mar. 2025
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But stand back and explore it from all sides; all its contours.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Deloria sketches a history of museums in the West—stretching from the curiosity cabinets of four centuries ago to the rise of tribal museums today.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
13 Mar. 2025
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The family dynamic is deftly sketched as Maddie takes in details from Alice and shoots back instructions, ignoring Frank’s alarmed requests to know what’s going on.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outline. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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