BORDERLINE Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

borderline 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn

Definition of borderline

as in frontier

located at or near a border a borderline region that is claimed by both countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

borderline

2 of 3

adverb

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

borderline

3 of 3

noun

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

Adjective

The result is borderline Succession-esque in its level of absurdity, and D’Arcy, so reliably tormented, gets to show sides of the character that have never even been hinted at before. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026 Harron slyly transforms it into a savage social satire, using the narrator’s unreliable point of view to borderline absurdist effect. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 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

It’s stuffed with over-the-top, laugh-out-loud moments, surprise celebrity cameos, and a premise that is borderline ridiculous. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 23 July 2026 Anyone living in the northeastern portion of the United States has no doubt witnessed the borderline apocalyptic scene unfolding in the sky. — Austin Perry, FOXNews.com, 17 July 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

Definition of frontier

Noun

The frontier of what needs a human recedes every quarter, and the companies that know exactly where the line sits have a real edge.

— Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
On the fourth pitch of the at-bat, Yamamoto turned to his splitter for the first time, barely clipping the inside edge of the strike zone.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of edge

Adverb

Fetterman and McCormick even launched a joint fundraising committee, practically unheard-of for senators from different parties.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 31 July 2026
The jokes practically wrote themselves as an eclectic group of progressive pastors, imams and a rabbi walked into a room, finding their seats around a table to talk about religion and politics.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Definition of practically

Noun

Farther west, France’s largest wildfire remained held within its perimeter on Sunday night after forcing 224,000 people to flee in what may have been the country’s largest civilian evacuation outside wartime.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
France’s largest wildfire remained held within its perimeter after forcing 224,000 people to flee in what may have been the country’s largest civilian evacuation outside wartime.

— Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of perimeter

Adverb

Mamdani has been making trips to firehouses most impacted by losses on 9/11, a spokesperson told CNN, visiting eight on Staten Island as well as FDNY Rescue 1 in Manhattan, which lost nearly half its company at the Twin Towers.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Around 70,000 people used the city’s designated Seine swimming areas in July, according to Paris City Hall, compared with nearly 100,000 during the entire summer last year, suggesting growing public interest in reclaiming the river for recreation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of nearly

Noun

But he was caught by Chinese border patrol in Tibet’s Shigatse region, while making the risky journey to the Nepal border on foot with a guide.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
The plan The state Department of Transportation planned to add toll lanes to an 11-mile stretch from uptown to the South Carolina border in order to address congestion.

— DJ Simmons August 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of border

Browse Nearby Words

borderlands

borderline

borderlines

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of borderline

adjective

adverb

noun

Example Sentences

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