1
as in tracing
to draw or make apparent the outline of
she carefully outlined the tree before she started drawing in the leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in summarizing
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
outlined the important points in the introduction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outlining
In March 2023, Renewcell partnered with the CTA — signing a letter of intent outlining an upcoming offtake agreement between the parties.
—
Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
The Wu administration issued an internal memo last month outlining the city’s decision to freeze some spending and delay hiring amid a budget crunch.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
But in a presentation outlining the changes, the government said exceptions could be made when deemed necessary for national security.
—CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Functionally, though, Gemmill is outlining a series where everyone is expendable except Robby.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
The house was partially framed, with Eastern white pine outlining the shape of the rooms.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Why couldn’t legislators pass a law outlining property tax relief?
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Last week, interim CEO King sent a memo outlining her concerns to the Chicago Board of Education.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Sure, there’s the polar vortex at the center, as well as the large hexagonal ring outlining and bordering it.
—Big Think, 15 Apr. 2026
Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
The Wu administration issued an internal memo last month outlining the city’s decision to freeze some spending and delay hiring amid a budget crunch.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
But in a presentation outlining the changes, the government said exceptions could be made when deemed necessary for national security.
—CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Functionally, though, Gemmill is outlining a series where everyone is expendable except Robby.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
The house was partially framed, with Eastern white pine outlining the shape of the rooms.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Why couldn’t legislators pass a law outlining property tax relief?
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Last week, interim CEO King sent a memo outlining her concerns to the Chicago Board of Education.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Sure, there’s the polar vortex at the center, as well as the large hexagonal ring outlining and bordering it.
—Big Think, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
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Large images from those defining moments filled the venue stage, tracing a career that has crossed stand-up, television and film.—
Jonathan Landrum Jr,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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Tahini is a creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds, with origins tracing back to ancient Persia.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Although the potential for mistakes and biases in AI models remains a cause for concern, researchers say that summarizing and translating documents is actually an area where models generally excel.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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These are designed to speed up common workflows like drafting content, summarizing information, or planning projects.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Again, there is no official criterion defining a low-contact relationship, so don’t get hung up on labels.—
Ashley Oerman,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
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Supreme Indigo is the mill’s defining color story for the season.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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