as in frontier
located at or near a border
a borderline region that is claimed by both countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in almost
very close to but not completely
your answer was borderline rude, so I would advise you to be more diplomatic in the future
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in edge
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
the actual borderline separating the two properties is now being disputed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of borderline
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Harnessing the strange behavior of particles at the tiniest scales, quantum technologies are enabling applications that are borderline science fiction across various industries.
—Etiido Uko
march 23, New Atlas, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Then in 2018, some of the greens became so severe that it was thought to be borderline unplayable.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for borderline
Adjective
To that end, the writer-director, Chandler Levack, establishes an agreeably slapdash attitude of hedonistic adventure, one that’s often intentionally borderline cringe.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Harnessing the strange behavior of particles at the tiniest scales, quantum technologies are enabling applications that are borderline science fiction across various industries.
—Etiido Uko
march 23, New Atlas, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
Multiple psychologists later disputed the borderline diagnosis.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Then in 2018, some of the greens became so severe that it was thought to be borderline unplayable.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for borderline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borderline
Adjective
-
That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
11 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
Julian Quinones almost scored his second goal moments later, but his shot hit the right post.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The lagoon, which wanders almost the entire length of the garden, adds a swath of blue to this oasis of green.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The ball ricocheted to the edge of the infield grass, where first baseman Freddie Freeman picked it up.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Storm Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, has placed the Kansas City metro under a slight risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe storms Monday, with a marginal risk (Level 1 of 5) east and southeast of the metro.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
-
Storms move in Tuesday evening with a marginal threat — 1 on a scale of 5 — for the metro, but the threat climbs to an enhanced level — 3 on a scale of 5 — for the northwestern corner of the state.—
Lisa Meadows,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Adverb
-
For the island, the wedding was both an extraordinary international showcase and an event that divided public opinion between enthusiasm for the visibility gained and criticism for a city that remained, for three days, practically off limits.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
7 June 2026
-
His band recreated practically every nuance of the original recording.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Midtown street closures The NYPD will have a security perimeter set up from West 29th Street to West 35th Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
Regardless of the schedule, make time to walk the cliff’s perimeter and enjoy a fresh perspective.—
Judith Garrison,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
Adverb
-
Lee nearly snuck a single into right field in the bottom of the fourth, but second baseman Nico Hoerner made a diving stop of Lee’s grounder to rob him of a hit.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
-
To explain the stadium eruption that followed is to imagine a Super Bowl where nearly everyone was rooting for one team.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Another tornado observed in north-central Missouri The National Weather Service reported another tornado in north-central Missouri, near Interstate 35 and the Iowa border.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
Plant it as a border or ground cover along with your cabbage, tomatoes, and carrots.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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