border on

phrasal verb

bordered on; bordering on; borders on
1
: to have a border on (something) : to lie on a boundary of (something)
The area my ancestors come from borders on the Atacama Desert.
2
: to be very like (something) : to come very close to being (something)
The play's dialog borders on the ridiculous.
an enthusiasm bordering on fanaticism

Examples of border on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Often, Alabama Shakes Version 2.0 bordered on being too cautious for a band that last issued new original music a decade ago. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025 Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks The idea of Thatcher Demko being traded within the division borders on farce. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 22 June 2025 Obviously, that approach borders on an incoherent policy. Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 The best chance of thunderstorms will be along the Missouri-Iowa border on Tuesday, with a 20-35% chance of rain. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for border on

Cite this Entry

“Border on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/border%20on. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!