BORDERLINE Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

borderline 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn

Definition of borderline

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

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are one of those clubs that is borderline for the College Football Playoff race. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Has the internet made keeping up with the ever-evolving glossary of new phrases feel borderline impossible? — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 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

Definition of frontier

Adverb

There’s plenty of other awful things happening in the episode, almost all of them revolving around Sai.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Genetic comparisons revealed that deep-sea viral communities in the region are almost entirely unique, with just 4 percent of their protein clusters matching global databases.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of almost

Noun

Details like floor-to-ceiling glass and oak ceilings add to the home’s grandeur, and a fire pit at the edge of the lawn—plus private beach access—are ideal for travelers who want to soak in the salty breeze.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
For a cold moment the silence locked a grip on our table, though it was broken, at the edges, by the golf commentators moaning and harrumphing, Rory McIlroy having had a canary on a seventeenth fairway somewhere this championship Sunday.

— Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of edge

Adjective

The trade is poised to benefit farmers, particularly women, in developing economies such as India by converting marginal and underutilized land into income-generating assets.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Rain chances are from 80% to 90% for the region with another 2-4 inches forecast bringing a marginal risk for excessive rainfall and some minor flooding.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of marginal

Adverb

The actress is an enormously entertaining presence, and the premise practically begs for an explosive music video finale.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
Mark Folk, one of Bob’s closest friends since college, remembers Bob going from barely running to entering races practically every weekend.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of practically

Noun

Like conventional pickup toppers, the Trunk mounts to the upper perimeter of the pickup bed, leaving most of the bed's volume untouched.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
The question is whether there’s a late-game assassin (traditionally a perimeter player) on the roster.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of perimeter

Adverb

South Korea's Kospi declined nearly 2% and Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 ended flat.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
One study found that, while just under half of hiring managers looked for AI and related tech skills, nearly three quarters (73%) prized critical thinking/problem-solving, and 65% looked for adaptability/learning agility.

— Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of nearly

Browse Nearby Words

borderlands

borderline

borderlines

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Style

“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of borderline

adjective

adverb

noun

Example Sentences

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