1
as in tracing
to draw or make apparent the outline of
she carefully outlined the tree before she started drawing in the leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in summarizing
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
outlined the important points in the introduction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of outlining
While the easiest way to catch the ceremony online at no cost is through DirecTV’s five-day trial period, The Hollywood Reporter is further outlining each streaming option ahead, including any free trials and limited-time discounts.
—
Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026
Last September, the city released the feasibility study, outlining the site’s potential uses and evaluating considerations like parking and utilities.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The New York Times, citing two unnamed sources, and Reuters, citing an unnamed source, reported earlier the White House had sent Iran a plan outlining 15 steps for the country to take in order to end the war.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
On its site outlining its data center plan, Project Spring, the company says the buildings would occupy less than 10% of the land and provide tax revenue that would shore up municipal budgets, all without straining the electrical grid or the water supply.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Those prosecutors and others in the office who aided the investigation were angered when a report outlining the harassment investigation — complete with potentially identifying details of the participants — was publicly released.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Hours after a deadly crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York, which saw a plane crash into a fire-rescue truck late Sunday night, Los Angeles International Airport firefighters are outlining their own emergency response protocol.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Baker also posted a detailed timeline on The Black Times website outlining how Black Lives Matter OKC had amassed millions of dollars in donations.
—Brianna Bailey, The Frontier, 24 Mar. 2026
In January 2026, the EPA issued an update outlining plans to move forward with a rule that would ban most uses of chlorpyrifos.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026
Last September, the city released the feasibility study, outlining the site’s potential uses and evaluating considerations like parking and utilities.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The New York Times, citing two unnamed sources, and Reuters, citing an unnamed source, reported earlier the White House had sent Iran a plan outlining 15 steps for the country to take in order to end the war.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
On its site outlining its data center plan, Project Spring, the company says the buildings would occupy less than 10% of the land and provide tax revenue that would shore up municipal budgets, all without straining the electrical grid or the water supply.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Those prosecutors and others in the office who aided the investigation were angered when a report outlining the harassment investigation — complete with potentially identifying details of the participants — was publicly released.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Hours after a deadly crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York, which saw a plane crash into a fire-rescue truck late Sunday night, Los Angeles International Airport firefighters are outlining their own emergency response protocol.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Baker also posted a detailed timeline on The Black Times website outlining how Black Lives Matter OKC had amassed millions of dollars in donations.
—Brianna Bailey, The Frontier, 24 Mar. 2026
In January 2026, the EPA issued an update outlining plans to move forward with a rule that would ban most uses of chlorpyrifos.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
-
The new center includes two theaters designed for virtual reality programming and a walkthrough exhibit with 11 informative panels tracing the history of the Holocaust — including historic family photographs — and two digital panels on the recent uptick in worldwide antisemitism.—
Lauren Costantino
March 27,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Ray tracing is a 3D rendering technology that simulates the behavior of light to produce realistic reflections and lighting effects.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The state requires cities to submit an annual report summarizing progress on implementing the city’s general plan and reports on housing production, stated a report from Planning Manager Chris Dominguez.—
Jim Drummond,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That’s Ai Weiwei, summarizing both his life and his work.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cost anxiety has become the defining concern of the application process.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The moment captures the strange overlap now defining the entertainment industry.—
Grant Rindner,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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