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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
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
Christian Yelich is a former MVP, multiple-time Silver Slugger Award winner and borderline candidate for the Hall of Fame. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 The remarkably, borderline unbelievably forgiving Adams became good friends with her ex-husband. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 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
  • His 3-point win that year kept the seat, held by Richard Burr for almost two decades, in Republican hands.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Billy Joel will tickle the ivories in public again for the first time in almost two years next month.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of almost
Noun
  • Scientists are exploring whether the flu vaccine can disrupt tumors, providing another treatment along with expensive cutting-edge care.
    — Elie Dolgin, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Ukraine is working to improve its interception capabilities for both, but at the moment, experts said, the Russian weapons have an edge.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of edge
Adjective
  • For example, based on the age of the beneficiary, the amount left in the IRA at the end of 10 years may be large enough to result in a large amount of taxes, based on the marginal tax rate of the beneficiary after ten years.
    — Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The new top rate would be 49% under the existing 37% top marginal rate.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of marginal
Adverb
  • The backstory The Dusit brand is practically synonymous with luxury hospitality in Thailand, having first opened its doors in Bangkok back in 1970.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • But the outcome shows that Johnson County’s voters practically single-handedly ended the Republican supermajority.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of practically
Noun
  • Some had stepped outside to see what happened and couldn’t get back in once police set up a perimeter.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Deputies established a perimeter around the home in the 6800 block of Klingon Court in the Florin area and tried to persuade Yang to surrender.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Adverb
  • The firm brings nearly two decades of combined experience at leading financial institutions with expertise in investments, development, and cross-border execution.
    — William Jones, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The nearly 1,000-foot-long vessel, once the fastest ocean liner in the world, will now rest on the seabed and provide a new habitat for marine life.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of nearly
Noun
  • My home state borders Kentucky to the south and has plenty of cultural similarities with the Commonwealth.
    — Grace Byron, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • An Estonian newspaper recently revealed that a British soldier disobeyed a direct order to remove the SIM card from his cellphone before being deployed to a part of Estonia, approximately 90 miles west of the Russian border.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 7 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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