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
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 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
Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
New York City summers are borderline heinous.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 7 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
Rushing, seemingly not pleased with a borderline check-swing call, argued with Iassogna.
—Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
New York City summers are borderline heinous.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 7 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
-
There were 3,000 people on the plaza at the June 18 Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony, with almost too many celebrities to count.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
When most pieces share a palette, almost any top works with almost any bottom, so a dozen items can cover dozens of looks.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
That’s what makes both marginal figures like Ormond and fundamental ones like the two antiheroines so important.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
And that could subsequently lead to a marginal reduction in mortgage interest rates.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Adverb
-
Madeira is bright, nutty, and practically indestructible.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Of course, Thomas Tuchel can call on a small contingent of Arsenal players — Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka — but practically the whole squad understand the value of the dead ball.—
Philipp Lahm,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Before co-headlining Denmark’s Roskilde Festival with Bruce Springsteen, The Roots were performing in tents beyond the festival's main perimeter.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Organizers of the protest printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Adverb
-
Centrist Paz took office seven months ago, inheriting the country’s worst economic crisis in a generation that helped propel the end of nearly two decades of leftist rule.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Thick black smoke and flames on Friday returned to the Boyle Heights warehouse that has been at the center of a nearly three-day firefight.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Lower Manhattan became frozen beyond expectation, with subways stopping south of Canal Street, a border that had earlier applied only to cars.—
Amina Kilpatrick,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
The move, aimed at securing Finland’s collective defense, roughly doubled NATO’s border with Russia.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
