Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

borderline

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of borderline

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

frontier, marginal
Words Related to borderline

outermost, outmost

exterior, external, outer, outside, outward
Near Antonyms of borderline

inner, inside, internal, inward

inmost, innermost

central, mid, middle
Antonyms of borderline

interior

borderline

adverb

Synonyms and Antonyms of borderline

very close to but not completely
  • your answer was borderline rude, so I would advise you to be more diplomatic in the future
Synonyms of borderline

about, all but, almost, fair [chiefly British], fairly, feckly [chiefly Scottish], more or less, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh
Words Related to borderline

appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly

kind of, partially, partly, somewhat
Phrases Synonymous with borderline

as good as, just about, pretty much, within an inch of
Near Antonyms of borderline

absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, plumb [chiefly dialect], quite, thoroughly

totally, utterly, well, wholly

barely, hardly, scarcely

borderline

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of borderline

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 of borderline

border, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge
Words Related to borderline

ambit

brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip

ceiling, maximum

demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination

borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage

lap

shore
Near Antonyms of borderline

center, core, heart

inner, inside, interior, middle, within

Learn More about borderline

  1. See words that rhyme with borderline Dictionary: Definition of borderline Medical Dictionary: Definition of borderline Spanish Central: Translation of borderline Nglish: Translation of borderline for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of borderline for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up borderline? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

farouche

marked by shyness and lack of polish

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  2. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

  3. clemency Cyntoia Brown granted release

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games