Synonyms of outline

outline 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to trace

to draw or make apparent the outline of

she carefully outlined the tree before she started drawing in the leaves

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trace
• define
• sketch
• delineate
• circle
• silhouette
• trim
• round
• surround
• line
• bound
• margin
• frame
• draw
• fringe
• chart
• loop
• edge
• rim
• hem
• skirt
• ring
• encircle
• diagram
• map (out)
• compass
• girdle
• girth

2

as in to summarize

to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)

outlined the important points in the introduction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• summarize
• abstract
• recapitulate
• brief
• recap
• encapsulate
• digest
• sum up
• consolidate
• boil down
• wrap up
• synopsize
• reprise
• epitomize
• condense
• shorten
• curtail
• abridge
• cut back
• simplify
• shrink
• downsize
• streamline
• concentrate
• essentialize
• decoct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• elongate
• lengthen
• prolong
• expand
• supplement
• elaborate (on or upon)
• enlarge (on or upon)
• amplify
• protract

outline

2 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌlīn 

1

as in silhouette

a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface

place your hand on the paper and draw an outline around it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• silhouette
• contour
• shape
• figure
• sketch
• framework
• profile
• form
• skeleton
• geometry
• delineation
• configuration
• cast
• skyline
• conformation

2

as in summary

a short statement of the main points

a printed outline of the lecture has been made available for all attendees

Synonyms & Similar Words

• summary
• synopsis
• brief
• resume
• summa
• rundown
• recap
• résumé
• précis
• summarization
• recapitulation
• sum-up
• resumé
• inventory
• encapsulation
• digest
• abstract
• summing-up
• run-through
• roundup
• conspectus
• sum
• capsule
• breviary
• epitome
• wrap-up
• compendium
• abridgement
• shortening
• abbreviation
• curtailment
• abridgment
• simplification
• streamlining
• condensation
• compend
• rehash
• reprise
• epilogue
• conclusion
• epilog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansion
• enlargement
• amplification
• supplement
• addendum

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun outline differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of outline are contour, profile, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When might contour be a better fit than outline?

The meanings of contour and outline largely overlap; however, contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When can profile be used instead of outline?

In some situations, the words profile and outline are roughly equivalent. However, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

When is it sensible to use silhouette instead of outline?

The synonyms silhouette and outline are sometimes interchangeable, but silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of outline

Verb

The lack of a unified plan across all parks and sparse details outlined by official government resources has sparked confusion about which places parkgoers can visit or if the shutdown has caused sites to temporarily shutter their services. —Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025

The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration has not yet compiled a fiscal impact report or memo outlining the impact of federal budget cuts on Tennessee. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025

Noun

This is what passes as development these days, and what comes out of the Chad Powers process is mostly lousy, a corporate exercise in content alchemy that plays like a coloring book where the outlines are already drawn. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025

Also bear in mind that while these benchmark results above outline one optimal implementation of the X2 family, that won’t be the only guise that these chips show up in, by far. —Wendy Sheehan Donnell, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025