bordering (on)

verb

present participle of border (on)
1
as in touching (on)
to come very close to being that comment borders on insubordination, and you should be more careful in the future

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in adjoining
to be adjacent to that state borders on three others

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bordering (on)
  1. resembling
  2. adjoining
  3. joining
  4. flanking
  5. surrounding
  6. touching
  7. neighboring
Verb
  • Two holes are drilled into the patient’s arm bones and the replacement ligament is woven between the two holes in a pattern resembling a figure-eight.
    — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • There was even a performance from traditional Bahamian dancers, transforming the scene outside the library into something resembling a neighborhood block party.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of resembling
Verb
  • The film could use a few more such colorful secondary strands adjoining the main conflict, though one subplot involving a maybe-romance between two jaded journalists assigned to the summit is oddly framed and abruptly dropped.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The organization has partnered with the city on the campus’ redesign since 2012, when planning began to incorporate a vacant lot adjoining the towers into the campus.
    — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of adjoining
Verb
  • The Flock fallout is expanding with Hopkinton, Massachusetts, joining the growing number of Commonwealth communities turning off the technology that uses cameras to scan license plates and record details like a car's make, model and color.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Jenna Bissonnette has been hired as Managing Director, working out of the NYC office, with Jenna Galan joining her on the East Coast as Director, Talent and Partnerships.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of joining
Verb
  • The front end is particularly imposing, with twin LED headlights flanking a broad grille and a substantial-looking skid plate beneath the bumper.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • There’s a massive plant wall flanking one side of the Main Hall, with about 1,200 pots of living greens.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of flanking
Verb
  • Excitement surrounding the new season is slowly growing among the West Ham United fanbase, but there are lingering issues that remain hard to ignore.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Israeli warplanes also targeted a teacher’s training college and a religious building in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, around 10 miles east of Ansar, with further strikes reported in the surrounding area.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of surrounding
Verb
  • Federal prohibition still locks plant-touching brands out of Meta, Google, most broadcast and print channels, and, sometimes, even basic financial plumbing.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Fans have gone crazy for the track online, which has been touching for the Housewife to take in.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of touching
Verb
  • In neighboring New Jersey, new regulations require e-bike riders to be at least 15 and obtain a license and vehicle registration.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Taiwan is no stranger to cyberattacks, particularly from neighboring China, which claims the East Asian democracy as its own and has vowed to annex it, by force if necessary.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of neighboring
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.

Browse Nearby Words

bordering
bordering (on)
borderland
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Cite this Entry

“Bordering (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bordering%20%28on%29. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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