as in frontier
located at or near a border
a borderline region that is claimed by both countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
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
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
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
But some people are kind of borderline [bald] already.
—Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for borderline
Adjective
Finding leaders who operate successfully across these tensions seems theoretical, borderline mythical at best.
—Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
In the third quarter, Smart borderline tackled Curry from behind while crashing hard for an offensive rebound.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
But some people are kind of borderline [bald] already.
—Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for borderline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borderline
Adverb
-
Veterans Day is almost here and there are plenty of freebies and discounts available for retired and active-duty military service members.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Notre Dame, meanwhile, has received more of the benefit of the doubt, though the Irish almost certainly can’t lose again, either.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The measure appears to have been the least favored around the southeastern edge of the county, an area that was originally supposed to get access to the silver line.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
These changes, as well as, wearing bangs were a major key to keeping her edges strong.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The zoning is only a marginal factor.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
5 Nov. 2025
-
That’s nice, but after last week’s Gotham-nominations haul, box-office performance is about to become a marginal portion of OBAA’s greater points portfolio.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
If your favorite thing about the season is apple picking, this wreath was practically made for you.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
-
But her throne was practically washed away when her late husband Skeet (Bruce Dern) bequeathed his estate to his daughter, Linda (Laura Dern).—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Layering treatments inside and outside the immediate perimeter, as well as further into the yard, ensures that no entry point goes unattended.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The film will include exclusive witness testimony, expert forensic analysis, and detailed graphic reconstructions that track the moment the thieves infiltrated the museum’s perimeter and vanished with the priceless treasure.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Döpfner nearly bought the FT in 2015, before losing it to Nikkei, and took a controlling stake in Business Insider — at the top of the new media market — for $343 million.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
There’s a close call when Dick opens the cargo door and nearly jumps out of the plane, but Leroy stops him just in time.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The fight against climate change transcends national borders.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Earlier Tuesday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the country detected North Korea test-firing around 10 rounds of artillery toward its western waters on Monday, shortly before Hegseth arrived at an inter-Korean border village with Ahn to begin his two-day visit to South Korea.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
But the reality for him, fairly or unfairly, is that if some of the habits persist, the smoke may turn to fire as the season progresses.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Still, this technology requires careful attention to bias by ensuring AI agents recognize diverse communication patterns fairly and accurately, rather than embedding harmful assumptions.—
Rachel Curry,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share