Synonyms of borderline

borderline 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn 

as in frontier

located at or near a border

a borderline region that is claimed by both countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frontier
• marginal
• outer
• exterior
• external
• outermost
• outside
• outward
• outmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inner
• internal
• interior
• inward
• inside
• middle
• central
• innermost
• mid
• inmost

borderline

2 of 3

adverb

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

• almost
• practically
• nearly
• fairly
• virtually
• about
• most
• somewhere
• just about
• pretty much
• fair
• nigh
• well-nigh
• near
• mostly
• somewhat
• as good as
• more or less
• next to
• feckly
• largely
• much
• all but
• mainly
• partially
• within an inch of
• chiefly
• by and large
• partly
• appreciably
• kind of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• quite
• completely
• absolutely
• entirely
• fully
• thoroughly
• altogether
• plain
• well
• totally
• utterly
• wholly
• plumb
• hardly
• barely
• scarcely

borderline

3 of 3

noun

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

• edge
• perimeter
• border
• confines
• boundary
• verge
• edging
• circumference
• margin
• end
• fringe
• periphery
• rim
• bound
• frame
• skirt
• outskirts
• brim
• skirting
• cusp
• hem
• compass
• extent
• lip
• mere
• curb
• ceiling
• maximum
• brink
• limitation
• crest
• demarcation
• restriction
• pale
• shore
• borderland
• termination
• frontier
• measure
• ambit
• lap
• march
• selvage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• center
• heart
• core
• within
• middle
• interior
• inside
• inner

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of borderline

Adjective

Aside from animation similarities, the main element these two cartoons have in common is a breakneck, borderline chaotic pace. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026

The long, borderline stiletto shape gives each flower its own space to bloom—even allowing for some pearl accents. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 2 Aug. 2026

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

Reasonable people can disagree about where Clark belonged behind Wilson, but leaving the Fever superstar outside the top five is borderline malpractice. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

There is such an imperative to cut costs that anything that’s borderline or doesn’t have a clear financial upside is considered at risk. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026