borderline

adjective bor·der·line \ -ˌlīn \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: borderline in a Sentence

Definition of borderline

1 a : 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

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borderline

noun

See borderline defined for English-language learners

See borderline defined for kids

Examples of borderline in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of borderline from the Web

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,’ which is almost borderline EDM.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Janet Jackson Made 'Googly Eyes' at BSB's Howie Dorough: They 'Almost Hooked Up' Claims Nick Carter," 22 May 2018
See, Kyle Korver has the most intense — and borderline insane — workout regimen in the NBA.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "A reminder that Kyle Korver has the NBA's craziest workout regimen," 21 May 2018
In a situation that is borderline, slight changes in temperature or precipitation intensity could be the difference between a relative non event and something more memorable locally.

— ian livingston, Washington Post, "PM Update: Winter weather advisory for north and west suburbs Saturday afternoon and evening," 16 Feb. 2018
To Stamos, the endless appeal of the show, which first aired nearly 30 years ago, does seem borderline miraculous—the reasons for its timeless popularity elude him to this day.

— shelbie lynn bostedt, RedEye Chicago, "Sorry, Riot Fest. John Stamos only has eyes for Make-A-Wish," 17 May 2017
Courier Journal CHICAGO – A year ago Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo came to the NBA combine as a prospect projected as a borderline first-round pick with no shortage of questions.

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "Hamidou Diallo confident in turning pro despite struggles at Kentucky," 18 May 2018
The authors used this approach to re-vet Kepler’s data from more than 100,000 stars, hoping to find ways to more rapidly confirm strong planetary candidates and boost the odds of validating borderline ones.

— john wenz, Scientific American, "Study Casts Doubt on Existence of a Potential “Earth 2.0”," 9 Apr. 2018
So Obamacare is both working and not working; it’s mostly fine for many people and a borderline disaster for some others.

— dylan scott, Vox, "Why Obamacare can fail and succeed at the same time," 6 Apr. 2018
The Cubs scratched out a pair of first-inning runs -- both of which came with two outs and with a borderline walk starting the rally -- then made Woodruff work hard the rest of the way despite not really doing much damage.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 5, Cubs 4: Orlando Arcia's single wins it in the ninth," 6 Apr. 2018

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.

First Known Use of borderline

1907

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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borderline Synonyms

borderline

adverb

Definition of borderline

: almost, nearly

borderline tacky

borderline suicidal

See borderline defined for English-language learners

Examples of borderline in a Sentence

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 of borderline from the Web

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, "2018 NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Golden Knights-Capitals Game 2 observations," 30 May 2018
In the middle of this, I was tested for gestational diabetes, and the result came back borderline.

— The Cut, "The Mom Who Faced the Odds of Getting Pregnant at 44," 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, "No, Liberals Are Not Falling for Conspiracy Theories Just Like Conservatives Do," 23 May 2017

First Known Use of borderline

1925

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

borderline Synonyms

Synonyms

about, all but, almost, fairly, more or less, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh;

Near Antonyms

absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, quite, thoroughly;

totally, utterly, well, wholly;

barely, hardly, scarcely;

kind of, partially, partly, somewhat;

Phrases

as good as, just about, pretty much, within an inch of;

BORDERLINE Defined for English Language Learners

borderline

adjective

Definition of borderline for English Language Learners

: having some but not all characteristics of something
: not quite as severe as what is usual or expected
: existing at or near a border

borderline

adverb

Definition of borderline for English Language Learners

: almost or nearly

BORDERLINE Defined for Kids

borderline

adjective bor·der·line \ ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn \

Definition of borderline for Students

: not quite average, standard, or normal

She's a borderline student for advanced math.

Medical Dictionary

borderline

adjective bor·der·line \ -ˌlīn \

medical Definition of borderline

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