borderline 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn How to pronounce borderline (audio)
Definition of borderlinenext
as in frontier
located at or near a border a borderline region that is claimed by both countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
Adjective
Sugar approaches him with an air of borderline ignorant confidence and requests a conversation with his boss. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026 As soon as daylight saving time hits, like clockwork, my once borderline obsessive need to have perfectly pristine floors, windows, walls, and closets is thrown to the wayside. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 21 June 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
The answer is yes, but only when PREVENT risk is classified as borderline or intermediate. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Aug. 2026 Gay, who is borderline to make the 53-man roster even with a high number of LB injuries, has seen his special teams participation increase recently, which enhances his chances of making the final roster. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for borderline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borderline
  1. frontier
  2. almost
  3. edge
  4. marginal
  5. practically
  6. perimeter
  7. nearly
  8. border
Adjective
  • That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Definition of frontier
Adverb
  • Brentford have almost qualified for Europe in the past two seasons.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Carley Garner, a commodity market strategist and broker at DeCarley Trading, said smaller futures and oil ETFs such as the United States Oil Fund (ticker USO) have made speculation possible for traders at almost any level of experience or funding.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of almost
Noun
  • The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The facilities would include what’s known as an edge computing data center, which typically is much smaller than traditional data centers and which Global Stack says would require lower utility use and no municipal water connection.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of edge
Adjective
  • Gartner's own data suggests the difference is not marginal, organizations that reinvest reclaimed time are more than twice as likely to beat their customer growth goals as those that do not.
    — Sreedhar Peddineni, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Local rainfall totals could top 4 inches and the Weather Prediction Center says all of Florida would have a marginal risk for excessive rainfall on Thursday.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of marginal
Adverb
  • It’s been more than a week since deadly flash floods killed hundreds and left thousands missing along the China-Nepal border — and practically nothing is known about the victims on the Chinese side.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Fshaoes Oversized Button-Down Shirt Another billowy option, this oversized button-down shirt is practically begging to be worn as a beach cover-up.
    — Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of practically
Noun
  • The outdoor cinema is wrapped by a rough-hewn Brutalist perimeter—half-lined with concrete cubes, the other half enclosed with planks salvaged from the boardwalk destroyed during Hurricane Sandy.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Nearly 6,000 homeless people could be forced to move when security officials impose expansive security perimeters in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, researchers estimated in a new study.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Adverb
  • Alquézar has overseen the team’s growth from roughly a dozen staff to nearly 20, backed by new ownership from Quantum Pacific and the arrival of coaches Simone Salvà and Vicky Travascio.
    — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Chakravarthy joined Adobe as a top executive nearly seven years ago.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of nearly
Noun
  • Asian food Lucknow is considered by many Indians as one of the country’s greatest culinary capitals, but beyond the South Asian nation’s borders, the city has remained largely absent from global conversations about food.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
  • On a community level, that could mean creating more open spaces between the waterfront and development, replacing the asphalt that borders places like Virginia Key with mangroves and walking paths.
    — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of border

Browse Nearby Words

borderlands
borderline
borderlines
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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