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outline

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun outline differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of outline are contour, profile, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When might contour be a better fit than outline?

The meanings of contour and outline largely overlap; however, contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When can profile be used instead of outline?

In some situations, the words profile and outline are roughly equivalent. However, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

When is it sensible to use silhouette instead of outline?

The synonyms silhouette and outline are sometimes interchangeable, but silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

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 outline
Verb
The bill, a key priority for the president, outlines specific regulations aimed at making a specific kind of digital currency called stablecoins more accessible and mainstream. Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 18 July 2025 Texas law outlines several specific situations where tenants have the right to end a lease early without owing extra rent or facing legal consequences. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2025
Noun
But this outline is far more serious than White’s joking and explicit memoir, in which pleasure is always the goal. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 July 2025 Kim always keeps two thin liner brushes on hand when painting micro fruit: one with extra-long bristles (to create the outlines of your designs) and one with slightly shorter bristles (for adding tiny details). Sophia Panych, Allure, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for outline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline
Verb
  • Edge systems verify their authenticity, expiry and batch while tracing their movements for regulatory compliance.
    Amy Gu, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
  • Astronomers then traced the origin using a ground telescope in Chile known as ALMA.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • In mere seconds, AI can summarize long reports, write emails in our tone and even generate strategic recommendations.
    Brent Dykes, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Apple Intelligence, which arrived in 2024 following the iPhone 16’s September launch, includes tools that can summarize notifications, transcribe phone calls, erase objects in photos, and use an iPhone’s camera to search Google or prompt ChatGPT and create images.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The designer suggests looking for a supportive seat with a sculptural silhouette, covered in high-quality performance fabric such as velvet, linen, or bouclé.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2025
  • This collared shirt takes the guesswork out of summer-to-fall dressing by coupling a breezy, short-sleeve silhouette with a cozy knit texture.
    Averi Baudler, People.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • Here's a summary: Tencent leads with 52 apps compatible.
    Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • The event is expected to attract more than 1.2 million fans and tourists, according to an economic impact summary released by the NYNJ Host Committee—the local body organizing the games—Bloomberg reported.
    India Brown, Robb Report, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Betts spent the All-Star break — his first healthy break when he wasn’t named an All-Star since 2015 — back in the Nashville, Tenn., area, working out at a facility and continuing his deluge of swings that have defined his season.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 20 July 2025
  • Among moderate caffeine users—defined as consuming less than 400 milligrams (mg) per day—the increase tends to be relatively small.
    MD Published, Verywell Health, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Electric razors mapping facial contours for better shaves.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 23 July 2025
  • The head and foot of the topper are made with softer materials that better contour to your shoulders and knees.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • The Rule of Thirds In a rare moment of candor several years ago, Duggan sketched out his political philosophy.
    M.L. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • In a high-profile fireside chat at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sat down with Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman to sketch a sweeping vision of artificial intelligence and its implications for finance, employment, and society at large.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outline. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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