borderline

adjective

bor·der·line | \ ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn

Definition of borderline

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : being in an intermediate position or state : not fully classifiable as one thing or its opposite a borderline state between waking and sleeping

b : not quite up to, typical of, or as severe as what is usual, standard, or expected borderline intelligence borderline hypertension

c : characterized by psychological instability in several areas (such as interpersonal relations, behavior, and identity) but only with brief or no psychotic episodes a borderline personality disorder

2 : situated at or near a border a borderline town

borderline

adverb

Definition of borderline (Entry 2 of 2)

: almost, nearly borderline tacky borderline suicidal

Other Words from borderline Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing borderline Learn More About borderline

Synonyms & Antonyms for borderline

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Adverb

Antonyms: Adjective

interior

Examples of borderline in a Sentence

Adjective In borderline cases like these, the best course of action is difficult to determine. As a borderline diabetic, Lara is able to control her blood sugar levels solely through diet. Adverb The movie is only borderline funny. your answer was borderline rude, so I would advise you to be more diplomatic in the future

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Overall, the average results are ambiguous, though the complete rest does seem (with borderline statistical significance) to enable the runners to spend more time at peak VO2. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 17 June 2022 As part of the Stargate franchise, Robert Carlyle played Dr. Nicholas Rush, the borderline eccentric scientist leading the stargate research. — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2022 Curry was a borderline top 100 recruit coming out of high school. — Stephen Means, cleveland, 11 Apr. 2022 Hughes' testimony contradicts that of a psychologist hired by Depp's lawyers, who said Heard was faking her symptoms of PTSD and suffered from borderline and histrionic personality disorders. — Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 4 May 2022 Hughes' testimony contradicts that of a psychologist hired by Depp's lawyers, who said Heard was faking her symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered from borderline and histrionic personality disorders. — CBS News, 4 May 2022 These sequences sometimes underline the reliance on too much over-the-top cartoonish action, however, with borderline bonkers plot developments breathlessly deployed at a clip recalling the movie’s video game origins. — Justin Lowe, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2022 Maybe North Carolina has really turned it around, but a team that was borderline top-40 late in the regular season doesn’t deserve to be this short of a dog against a consensus top-20 team for the entire season. — Vsin Staff, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2022 My rational mind knows the sculpture is tacky and borderline offensive, yet my reptilian brain loves its louche effervescence. — New York Times, 1 Mar. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: 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 In the middle of this, I was tested for gestational diabetes, and the result came back borderline. — The Cut, 14 Sep. 2017 There’s no doubting the existence and growing popularity online of conspiratorial—and borderline demented—commentary on Russia. — Jeet Heer, New Republic, 23 May 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'borderline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About borderline

Dictionary Entries Near borderline

borderlight

borderline

borderline personality disorder

Statistics for borderline

Last Updated

27 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/borderline. Accessed 4 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for borderline

borderline

adjective

bor·der·line | \ ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn

Kids Definition of borderline

: not quite average, standard, or normal She's a borderline student for advanced math.

borderline

adjective

bor·der·line | \ -ˌlīn \

Medical Definition of borderline

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : being in an intermediate position or state : not fully classifiable as one thing or its opposite especially : not quite up to what is usual, standard, or expected borderline intelligence

2 : exhibiting typical but not altogether conclusive symptoms a borderline diabetic

3 : of, relating to, being, or exhibiting a behavior pattern typical or suggestive of borderline personality disorder a borderline patient borderline behavior

borderline

noun

Medical Definition of borderline (Entry 2 of 2)

: a person affected with borderline personality disorder