border on
phrasal verb
bordered on; bordering on; borders on
1
: to have a border on (something) : to lie on a boundary of (something)
The area my ancestors come from borders on the Atacama Desert.
2
: to be very like (something) : to come very close to being (something)
The play's dialog borders on the ridiculous.
an enthusiasm bordering on fanaticism
Examples of border on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Democracies, despite a growing loss of confidence bordering on despair, retain innumerable strengths and deep resilience, and can get back on the front foot.
—
Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
For many, pizza borders on a religious experience.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
The tone from the rest of the public, for some reason, bordered on incredulous.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
Grandma knows best My grandparents’ love for K&W bordered on devotional.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for border on
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Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
For many, pizza borders on a religious experience.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
The tone from the rest of the public, for some reason, bordered on incredulous.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
Grandma knows best My grandparents’ love for K&W bordered on devotional.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for border on
Cite this Entry
“Border on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/border%20on. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
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