Synonyms of edge

edge 1 of 2

noun

ˈej 

1

as in bite

a harsh or sharp quality

the teacher's voice had a sarcastic edge as she welcomed the tardy student to class

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bite
• bitterness
• acidity
• roughness
• sharpness
• spice
• severity
• harshness
• poignancy
• punch
• poignance
• acerbity
• asperity
• acridity
• pungency
• acuteness
• tartness
• acidness
• tang
• acrimony
• acrimoniousness
• acridness
• severeness
• keenness
• ginger
• shrillness
• virulence
• pointedness
• maliciousness
• raucousness
• vitriol
• thorniness
• cattiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softness
• gentleness
• mildness
• kindliness

2

as in perimeter

the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something

the design along the edge of the plate is badly worn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• perimeter
• edging
• border
• boundary
• circumference
• confines
• verge
• rim
• margin
• end
• periphery
• fringe
• outskirts
• brim
• frame
• skirt
• hem
• bound
• skirting
• cusp
• compass
• borderline
• brink
• lip
• extent
• shore
• curb
• crest
• maximum
• ceiling
• limitation
• frontier
• demarcation
• mere
• termination
• lap
• restriction
• measure
• march
• ambit
• selvage
• borderland
• pale

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• center
• heart
• core
• within
• middle
• interior
• inside
• inner

3

as in advantage

the more favorable condition or position in a competition

my big feet give me something of an edge in swimming

Synonyms & Similar Words

• advantage
• odds
• opportunity
• jump
• vantage
• margin
• high ground
• upper hand
• bulge
• stead
• pull
• inside track
• better
• drop
• start
• coign of vantage
• privilege
• whip hand
• lead
• superiority
• dominance
• catbird seat
• allowance
• benefit
• ascendancy
• transcendence
• head start
• leg up
• foothold
• mastery
• supremacy
• precedence
• predominance
• prerogative
• transcendency
• preference
• seniority
• command
• windfall
• break
• godsend
• manna
• felicity
• boon
• blessing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disadvantage
• strike
• liability
• penalty
• minus
• handicap
• drawback
• detriment
• imbalance
• inequality
• disparity
• disability
• interference
• failing
• bar
• stranglehold
• impairment
• let
• obstacle
• obstruction
• stop
• catch
• shortcoming
• unevenness
• impediment
• rub
• check
• hurdle
• embarrassment
• hitch
• hindrance
• setback
• crimp
• shackle
• lurch
• clog
• trammel
• manacle

4

as in efficacy

the power to produce a desired result

the utter lack of enforcement provisions totally blunts the edge of the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

• efficacy
• effectiveness
• efficaciousness
• efficiency
• ability
• productiveness
• effectualness
• capability
• efficacity
• strength
• capacity
• potency
• puissance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inefficiency
• ineffectiveness
• inability
• incompetence
• ineffectuality
• ineffectualness
• inadequacy
• incompetency
• inadequateness

5

as in brink

an interval of time just before the onset of something

the nation's economy was on the edge of collapse when the Federal Reserve took exceptionally bold action

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brink
• verge
• threshold
• cusp
• point
• nick

edge

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to sharpen

to make sharp or sharper

if you edge the tip of that stick, it should be a fine skewer for roasting marshmallows

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sharpen
• grind
• stone
• hone
• whet
• strop
• file

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• blunt
• round
• smooth
• polish
• gloss
• buff
• burnish

2

as in to border

to serve as a border for

pavement edging the flower bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• border
• margin
• rim
• fringe
• bound
• surround
• frame
• skirt
• circle
• encircle
• trim
• loop
• hem
• trace
• round
• define
• outline
• wall
• ring
• curb
• demarcate
• limit
• enclose
• control
• silhouette
• restrict
• sketch
• circumscribe
• delineate
• restrain
• confine
• check
• environ
• girth
• compass
• girdle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of edge

Noun

Antonelli never stood a chance to keep Norris back, but the fashion of the decisive overtake — a brave sweep around the outside at Turn 1, hanging on at the edge of the track and then pulling clear at exit — was telling. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

And, of course, the pass rush, led by edge rusher Chop Robinson, has much work to do. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

Palace squeezed through 1-0 on aggregate against Norwegian side Fredrikstad and Chelsea edged past Swiss team Servette 3-2 on aggregate at the same stage of their respective triumphs in the competition. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Each have had their ups and downs during camp, as Milton started camp off by edging just ahead, but Howell has brought it back to a more dead-heat battle in recent days as Milton has thrown a couple of interceptions. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing edge

• cutting edge
• edge in
• leading edge
• on edge
• set one's teeth on edge