as in adjacent
having a border in common
a country given to constant disagreements with bordering nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bounding
to serve as a border for
that velvet bordered the sleeves on this shirt, until it fell off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 bordering
Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Although large numbers of Iranians haven’t fled the country yet, people have been leaving major cities for the relative safety of the countryside bordering the Caspian Sea north of the capital, Tehran, according to the International Organization for Migration.
—Sam McNeil, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
Although large numbers of Iranians haven't fled the country yet, people have been leaving major cities for the relative safety of the countryside bordering the Caspian Sea north of the capital, Tehran, according to the International Organization for Migration.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
The lot is level and great for gardens with Small Wash Brook bordering the north side of the property.
—Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
For the first time in a decade, a superbloom is spreading wildly across Death Valley National Park in California and in bordering Nevada.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 13 Mar. 2026
Since Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks on Israel—and the ensuing war in Gaza and other countries bordering Israel—anti-Jewish terror has spread worldwide.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Harris emerged from the field in the traditionally conservative and deep-red district, situated in the northwest corner of Georgia and bordering Alabama and Tennessee.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Although large numbers of Iranians haven’t fled the country yet, people have been leaving major cities for the relative safety of the countryside bordering the Caspian Sea north of the capital, Tehran, according to the International Organization for Migration.
—Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Although large numbers of Iranians haven’t fled the country yet, people have been leaving major cities for the relative safety of the countryside bordering the Caspian Sea north of the capital, Tehran, according to the International Organization for Migration.
—Sam McNeil, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
Although large numbers of Iranians haven't fled the country yet, people have been leaving major cities for the relative safety of the countryside bordering the Caspian Sea north of the capital, Tehran, according to the International Organization for Migration.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
The lot is level and great for gardens with Small Wash Brook bordering the north side of the property.
—Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
For the first time in a decade, a superbloom is spreading wildly across Death Valley National Park in California and in bordering Nevada.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 13 Mar. 2026
Since Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks on Israel—and the ensuing war in Gaza and other countries bordering Israel—anti-Jewish terror has spread worldwide.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Harris emerged from the field in the traditionally conservative and deep-red district, situated in the northwest corner of Georgia and bordering Alabama and Tennessee.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bordering
Adjective
-
This school, though, was absolutely adjacent to an Iranian military base.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Western Queens is sorely lacking green space, with the adjacent neighborhoods ranking as some of the worst for park access in all of New York.—
Ben Guttmann,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Twice, when Meredith ordered ‘Two steps stage left’ and Geoffrey moved to the right, Meredith came bounding down the centre aisle shouting ‘Left, left, ducky’ and leapt onto the apron to seize him by the shoulders and shove him into place.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In the background there are grazing topi, bounding Thomson's gazelles, and, far in the distance, a snoozing pride of lions.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Notably, Pelona Hills is not subject to Mello-Roos taxes, offering homeowners lower annual costs than many neighboring developments.—
Sandra Barrera,
Daily News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Over at Flui, a boutique that blends silver accessories with denim from neighboring Ibara, the vibe is less tourist trap, more treasure hunt.—
Jessica Binns,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There was no immediate word on the circumstances surrounding the vehicle driving off the pier.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
By continuously collecting and processing electromagnetic data, the system generated a detailed understanding of the surrounding signal environment.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
My dad is sorting dinner and my mother is with him in the adjoining room next door.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Folks in the Ivanhood and adjoining areas should celebrate — the Taltys are the original.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bordering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bordering. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
