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
Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Paul, 40, has looked borderline unplayable for LA this year — and that's saying something, since LA has been saddled with several perimeter injuries and is looking like a lottery team.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
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
Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
Embracing these ideas wholeheartedly, Yoshida’s borderline psychotic reimagining of the tale is both highly symbolic and totally riveting.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borderline
Adjective
The former Georgia Tech All-American golfer has been added to the weekly TMRW Golf League broadcast to analyze and explain the holes — many of them borderline bizarre — that are being played on the giant indoor screen at the SoFi Center and televised to a nationwide ESPN audience.
—Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Paul, 40, has looked borderline unplayable for LA this year — and that's saying something, since LA has been saddled with several perimeter injuries and is looking like a lottery team.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
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 initial meeting between Isabel and Pat, this intimacy feels borderline intrusive in a manner that suits the scene.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
Embracing these ideas wholeheartedly, Yoshida’s borderline psychotic reimagining of the tale is both highly symbolic and totally riveting.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borderline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borderline
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
Adverb
-
Campaigning began almost immediately after the announcement, with major commercial news outlets showing political advertising for the Social Democrats, while supporters of the populist anti-immigration Danish People's party began leafleting in parliament in Copenhagen.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Even with the game result finalized at this point, the anticipation to see how Maura would react to Rob’s betrayal was almost sky high, and the result matched the moment.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Food is colorful, local, and seasonal, using Hokkaido ingredients with a French edge, helmed by chef Tatsuya Ozeki.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
-
On the other side of the argument, some investors say America’s edge is in innovation.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The 40-year-old former right-back in his playing career for KSV Roeselare, Weathering, and OH Leuven was brought in by Hurzeler in search of marginal gains.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In northern Indiana, thunderstorms are also possible today, though the risk is mostly marginal.—
Brandi D. Addison,
IndyStar,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Our blueprint became to identify urgent pain points, practically apply AI, measure impact, and build from there.—
Danny Werfel,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Softies Marshmallow Reverse Seam Crew Neck Lounge Set At this point, the Softies brand is practically synonymous with Oprah herself.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Mexican troops established a perimeter around the complex and then closed in.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The college has many buildings on the park’s perimeter and nearby.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Although the company’s profit nearly doubled in the fourth quarter and sales reached an all-time high, Wall Street seemed disappointed by its somewhat lackluster outlook.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
On one icy Wednesday, nearly all New York Vogue editors showed up in red sweaters.—
Talia Abbas,
Vogue,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Pillar story alleges that Dudley spotted the bishop making late-night border crossings into Mexico, parking in a lot reserved for customers of a brothel, then boarding a shuttle exclusive to customers of the brothel.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The small town is about 50 miles south of El Paso, along the Mexican border.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
