1
as in thin
being of less than usual width
a hairline crack in the mug, almost too small to notice, was enough to make the mug break when filled with hot tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy
a hairline distinction between her rating of certain things as "necessary" and others as "absolutely necessary"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mathematical
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
an ultrasensitive telescope that requires hairline placement of the lenses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
the controversial measure passed by a hairline, the margin of victory being but a single vote
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 hairline
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
With his open, often smiling face, white goatee, receding hairline, and glasses, Hall looks more like a politician than a sheriff.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Can Hims regrow a receding hairline?
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
No, not the motion picture academy screening populated by Oscar voters with receding hairlines.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hairline
Noun
He’s haunted by the specter of aging — apparent in Styles’s fixating on wellness in interviews and roasting his own hairline on Brittany Broski’s Royal Court — and has hinted at private anguish over the death of One Direction’s Liam Payne.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
With his open, often smiling face, white goatee, receding hairline, and glasses, Hall looks more like a politician than a sheriff.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Can Hims regrow a receding hairline?
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
No, not the motion picture academy screening populated by Oscar voters with receding hairlines.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hairline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hairline
Adjective
-
The early transition reflects a broader reality across Summit County, where thin snowpack and warm temperatures have shortened the ski season and pushed some winter operations to close early.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The study also has implications for applications such as thin-film electronics and actuators.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms Hotel Thaynes has 128 guest rooms, including six king suites, each designed for simple mountain stays with subtle pops of colors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
But eventually, nonstop quips give way to subtle observations on class, power, and, particularly during its second season, when Killface and Crews run opposing campaigns for president, the futility of electoral politics.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The theorem bearing his name was only one of Faltings’s many mathematical accomplishments.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Lockhart’s goal is to enliven appreciation through direct engagement with mathematical ideas.—
Dan Rockmore,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Bain has 30 7/8-inch arms, while Howell’s are even shorter at 30 1/4.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Riding on 21-inch alloy wheels, our Lexus RX350h F-Sport tester had exterior pizzazz and looked great with its recent redesign.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Restaurants operate on a narrow margin.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Google Maps suggests that the same narrow house is still there.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While some experts insist that a good face cream can handily tend to the skin around the eyes, others argue that a cream specifically designed for the delicate area is worth the investment.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The lip exfoliators have delicate sugar crystals that gently scrub to reveal smooth, supple, flake-free lips.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
He’s made that look accurate since.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers say the high-precision synchronization is vital for accurate targeting and secure communication, with the potential to transform modern warfare and navigation systems.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Underwood, with wet hair and wearing a towel around his neck from the postgame celebration, said the Illini were going to enjoy Saturday’s win for a night.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Children can be seen monkeying around the billiards table, and the surrounding area offers plenty of activities to suit the whole gang—from hiking and boat tours to hair-raising seaplane adventures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hairline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairline. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
