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outline

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noun

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

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 outline
Verb
The face has no features, and the figurine’s upper limbs are only outlined, her breasts covered by bent arms. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025 The approach tracks suggestions outlined in the Heritage Foundation playbook known as Project 2025, in which first-term Trump advisers and other conservatives detailed how a second Trump term might look. Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 23 June 2025
Noun
Students in James’ AI for Educators class will learn to design and use AI tools to create detailed lesson plans and assignments based on the curriculum outline of their classes. Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 17 June 2025 The Senate proposal would gradually reduce the provider’s tax rate of 6% or less to 3.5% by 2031, according to Monday’s outline. Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for outline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline
Verb
  • The exhibition consists of two parallel themes, one that charts Vuitton’s maritime connections, which is meant to pay homage to Shanghai, and one that traces its brand history, starting from its roots in Asnières, where the original workshop was established in 1859.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
  • The episode traces a February 2013 cruise aboard Carnival Triumph from Galveston, Texas to Mexico.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Among its tasks will be assisting with coding, acting as a translation tool and summarize complex documents for workers.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 June 2025
  • The Pandemic Greases the Wheels The evidence summarized in Karlin's fact sheet had been around for decades.
    Liana Simstrom, NPR, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Pitt paired a blue velvet Willy Chavarria blazer with baggy jeans and square-toed black boots while de Ramon opted for a sleeker silhouette.
    Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 17 June 2025
  • Lead by artistic director Alessandro Sartori, Zegna presented bomber jackets, scarfs, casual button shirts, wool jackets, shorts, and trousers that were understated while providing luster to common silhouettes.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • The Massachusetts Family Institute highlighted in a summary of a legislative hearing held earlier this month that 59 of 70 people had testified in opposition to the bills that look to increase vaccination requirements and reporting standards.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 16 June 2025
  • The firm can, however, use it to extract relevant points from contracts, create summaries of relevant prior case law, and flag up risks.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • As international attention turns away from missile strikes and toward diplomacy following the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, a deeper, longer-term struggle is quietly taking shape inside the Islamic Republic — one that will define the country’s political future.
    Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Paul Guerlain, the grandson of Jean-Paul Guerlain, although not affiliated with the Guerlain brand, represents the next generation committed to upholding the values that have defined the maison for centuries.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Set primarily in Jacksonville, Moniz’s stories trace the contours of her characters’ inner lives, including private pains and unspeakable secrets, showing us ordinary people with extraordinary things broiling just beneath the surface.
    Grace Flahive June 17, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
  • This flight strategy might seem energetically costly, but constant flapping enables the geese to closely follow the contours of the terrain, taking advantage of wind patterns and potential drafting effects, according to research publish in Science.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Darjeeling doesn’t do right by most of its non-white characters, but in her brief scenes, Karan sketches an intriguing and beguiling woman. 46.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
  • His intention at that time was to teach people to sketch.
    Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outline. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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