Synonyms of border

border 1 of 3

noun

ˈbȯr-dər 

1

as in perimeter

the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something

a rug with a fancily embroidered border

Synonyms & Similar Words

• perimeter
• edge
• boundary
• edging
• confines
• circumference
• margin
• verge
• end
• periphery
• rim
• fringe
• frame
• skirt
• outskirts
• bound
• brim
• hem
• skirting
• borderline
• compass
• cusp
• extent
• lip
• frontier
• shore
• crest
• brink
• curb
• demarcation
• ceiling
• maximum
• borderland
• limitation
• restriction
• mere
• march
• termination
• measure
• ambit
• selvage
• lap
• pale

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• center
• heart
• within
• core
• middle
• interior
• inside
• inner

2

as in frontier

a region along the dividing line between two countries

people who live on an international border get used to carrying a passport

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frontier
• borderland
• march
• no-man's-land

border

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to margin

to serve as a border for

that velvet bordered the sleeves on this shirt, until it fell off

Synonyms & Similar Words

• margin
• edge
• surround
• bound
• fringe
• rim
• skirt
• frame
• encircle
• circle
• loop
• hem
• trim
• trace
• outline
• wall
• define
• demarcate
• round
• enclose
• sketch
• ring
• limit
• curb
• delineate
• restrict
• silhouette
• control
• circumscribe
• confine
• check
• restrain
• environ
• girth
• compass
• girdle

border (on)

3 of 3

verb (2)

1

as in to touch (on)

to come very close to being

that comment borders on insubordination, and you should be more careful in the future

Synonyms & Similar Words

• touch (on)
• verge (on)
• seem
• trench (on)
• resemble
• suggest
• approach
• compare (with)
• measure up (to)
• look
• near
• appear
• stack up (against or with)
• approximate

2

as in to join

to be adjacent to

that state borders on three others

Synonyms & Similar Words

• join
• verge (on)
• adjoin
• neighbor
• touch
• flank
• march (with)
• surround
• butt (on or against)
• fringe
• attach (to)
• connect (with)
• communicate (with)
• abut
• link (with)
• meet
• skirt
• line
• fence
• bound
• margin
• enclose
• contact
• embrace
• converge
• encircle
• rim

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of border

Noun

An extraordinary array of national park units — 34 in all, which include national monuments and historic sites in addition to parks — blanket Arizona from border to border. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Her alliance with Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, who was recalled from the Minnesota operation Monday as border czar Tom Homan took the lead, has left her isolated on Capitol Hill. —Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026

Verb

Located on Costa Rica's northwestern coast and bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Tamarindo is a place of beauty and relaxation. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026

Cremer was last seen in the mining town of Waratah, which borders the Tarkine rainforest, on June 17, 2023. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing border

• border (on)