borderline 1 of 3

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

borderline

3 of 3

noun

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
After some highly amusing, borderline classic sketches, this does not quite hold up as much. Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2022 Springs’ slider is a viable third offering, a borderline average pitch, but when your top two offerings are doing work, average is just fine. Tony Blengino, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
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 See All Example Sentences for borderline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borderline
Adverb
  • But Williams is nearly 6-foot-4, 222 pounds and has a wing span of almost 81 inches.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Though almost eerily timely, the political topicality of the exhibition was not deliberate, as the show was a year-and-a-half in the planning.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • The Indian army said in a statement late on Friday that drones were sighted in 26 locations across a wide area of India's west and northwest from Kashmir and states bordering Pakistan to the edge of the Arabian Sea.
    USA Today, USA Today, 11 May 2025
  • Toll-takers on the Venetian Causeway were in their booths as the tornado swept through just yards away, tearing into trees at a small public park at water’s edge.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Most of what’s found doesn’t really apply to the gameplay in real time — even the guns pilfered from enemy corpses end up being marginal upgrades best used as a swap once ammo is low.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025
  • The rest of the state is at a marginal risk, including Jonesboro and West Memphis, which means isolated, severe thunderstorms are possible, according to the weather service.
    Remington Miller, Arkansas Online, 30 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • From that point on, they've been practically attached at the hip, often dressing alike and taking in Broadway musicals.
    Glamour, Glamour, 4 May 2025
  • Going nine innings was commonplace, now practically unknown.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
  • This was certifiably his worst night ever as a perimeter threat.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
Adverb
  • Expand But he and the photo would be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, launching a career that would earn him nearly 40 awards for his work.
    Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2025
  • In the past century, Venice has subsided by around 25 centimeters, or nearly 10 inches.
    Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • Trump has effectively shut down the lawlessness at the southern border.
    Nicole Russell, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Martin: The President is using tools that previous Presidents have not used in peacetime, declaring a national emergency at the southern border, invoking the Alien Enemies Act.
    Michel Martin, NPR, 1 May 2025
Adverb
  • The SpaceX crew missions contracted under NASA are fairly routine six-month trips to the space station for astronauts to conduct science experiments.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • My buddy Benny is, like me, a southpaw, and we were both set up on the tree in the expectation that birds would approach from the right, making a fairly easy shot for a left-hander.
    Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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