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
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Apr. 2025
To prepare for this contingency, Zimmermann devised a plan that, as outlined in his telegram, called for the Germans to enlist Mexico and Japan in an invasion of the United States, with the understanding that Germany would allow Mexico to annex the southwestern corner of the country.
—Timothy W. Ryback, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025
PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025
The outline is part of the broader effort by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, to take an axe to the federal civilian workforce.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outline
Verb
The society hosts an annual meeting and publishes news and alerts related to epilepsy drugs.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Apr. 2025
To prepare for this contingency, Zimmermann devised a plan that, as outlined in his telegram, called for the Germans to enlist Mexico and Japan in an invasion of the United States, with the understanding that Germany would allow Mexico to annex the southwestern corner of the country.
—Timothy W. Ryback, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
For example, the Docs app now supports 'tabs,' which function like a document outline that appears in an optional left-hand sidebar.
—PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025
The outline is part of the broader effort by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, to take an axe to the federal civilian workforce.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline
Verb
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While very personal, each of these reactions can be traced back to our evolution: our primal need for reproduction, protection and survival.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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Over the course of more than a decade, the Kendall Jenner school of style’s codes can be traced through her Coachella outfits of choice.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The sentencing memorandum, filed in U.S. District Court on April 2 and reviewed by OL, summarizes a massive trafficking network primarily coordinate by Waldrop, who worked with wildlife importers to obtain species from all over the world.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
10 Apr. 2025
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Each technique is briefly summarized, and a handy link is provided to my detailed coverage that explains how the technique is actively performed and carefully notes the necessary ins and outs.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And adding a few inches to your outfit’s silhouette doesn’t hurt, either.—
Nina Derwin,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
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But arguably the most surprising silhouette that emerged as a major trend?—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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According to summary provided by the House speaker’s office, the bill includes financial support for special education, bilingual education and pre-kindergarten and a $395 increase in the base amount schools get per student, known as the basic allotment.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
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On the order summary page, paste your promo code into the Discount Code or Gift Card box, and click Apply to see your savings.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The line defines short cruises as ranging from four to six nights and mid-length sailings as seven to nine nights, while longer cruises are 10 or more nights.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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This translates into Jan having to collaborate with many versions of himself that have unique skills and far too many conflicting personalities defined by past events.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Over in Louisiana, the contours of the Senate GOP primary are starting to take shape.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
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The exact contours of soybean demand in the new economic world that Trump has created remain to be seen.—
Sarah Sax,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Another group, studying the same data record, sketches a very different scene: a magma‑ocean hellscape, sterilized by heat.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
18 Apr. 2025
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Develop Downside Contingency Plan At this point, business leaders should sketch out contingency plans for their most significant risks.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outline. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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