1
as in traces
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 summarizes
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
1
as in contours
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
2
as in summaries
a short statement of the main points
a printed outline of the lecture has been made available for all attendees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of outlines
Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
But American businesses won’t have enough confidence for long-term investments until Venezuela’s leadership outlines a credible path to free and fair elections.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 June 2026
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) outlines six ways to cope with grief following pet loss.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Gold chrome outlines a soft light pink base, giving it a glossy, almost jelly-like finish that catches the light in all the right ways.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026
The Solana Beach City Council approved a second reading May 27 of an ordinance that outlines the types of structures that are allowed in public spaces used for outdoor dining.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
If a tie affects the outcome, state law outlines a process for determining the winner.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 29 May 2026
The report also outlines two other fatal Aurora police shootings that warrant further review; in both cases, the victims were unarmed.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
While the county’s charter outlines that vacancies would be replaced by the Board of County Commissioners, Florida law preempts the charter.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 May 2026
Each panel is made of a flax-linen blend with delicate floral outlines of blooms and leaves.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Legal professionals use ChatGPT to draft initial contract language, summarize legal documents, explain complex concepts in plain language, prepare deposition outlines, and structure legal arguments.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Because of the outlines in the new collective bargaining agreement, Collier will now be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
On the surface, Middle of Nowhere outlines the turmoil before and after an ex’s disappearing act.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Models came to his Potrero Hill studio and lay on fragile sheets of translucent paper while Ed traced their outlines.
—Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 6 May 2026
Fossils from these most special locations not only show body outlines and external textures but also preserve details from appendages and internal organs, from eyes and gills to guts and nerve networks.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 1 May 2026
Plus, the minimalist heart outlines are dainty looking and would be a perfect choice for your wife or mom to wear every day.
—Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Altair and four other stars form a large vertical diamond that outlines the eagle’s wingspan.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
But American businesses won’t have enough confidence for long-term investments until Venezuela’s leadership outlines a credible path to free and fair elections.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 June 2026
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) outlines six ways to cope with grief following pet loss.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Gold chrome outlines a soft light pink base, giving it a glossy, almost jelly-like finish that catches the light in all the right ways.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026
The Solana Beach City Council approved a second reading May 27 of an ordinance that outlines the types of structures that are allowed in public spaces used for outdoor dining.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
If a tie affects the outcome, state law outlines a process for determining the winner.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 29 May 2026
The report also outlines two other fatal Aurora police shootings that warrant further review; in both cases, the victims were unarmed.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
While the county’s charter outlines that vacancies would be replaced by the Board of County Commissioners, Florida law preempts the charter.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Noun
While talks are ongoing with key details still to be worked out, the outlines of a deal include Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and letting ships pass without paying tolls, sources told Axios.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 May 2026
Each panel is made of a flax-linen blend with delicate floral outlines of blooms and leaves.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Legal professionals use ChatGPT to draft initial contract language, summarize legal documents, explain complex concepts in plain language, prepare deposition outlines, and structure legal arguments.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Because of the outlines in the new collective bargaining agreement, Collier will now be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
On the surface, Middle of Nowhere outlines the turmoil before and after an ex’s disappearing act.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Models came to his Potrero Hill studio and lay on fragile sheets of translucent paper while Ed traced their outlines.
—Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 6 May 2026
Fossils from these most special locations not only show body outlines and external textures but also preserve details from appendages and internal organs, from eyes and gills to guts and nerve networks.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 1 May 2026
Plus, the minimalist heart outlines are dainty looking and would be a perfect choice for your wife or mom to wear every day.
—Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlines
Verb
-
Most of this year’s total tally erosion traces to a single category.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
The route traces nearly 18 miles of the Lakefront Trail—all of them scenic—with the fountain smack-dab in the middle.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The slow pace is due to a law that requires each ballot and each tally sheet, which summarizes the votes from each polling station, to be taken to one of more than 100 offices to be counted.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
The slow counting pace is due to a law that requires each ballot and each tally sheet, which summarizes the votes from each polling station, to be taken to one of more than 100 offices to be tallied.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The whites of lights and balloons popped, and black suits seemed extremely dark while clearly retaining their cuts and contours.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude and Gemini are gaining market share as a first stop for category research, vendor shortlists, executive due diligence and analyst-grade summaries.—
Dean Trevelino,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Attorneys have argued that CBP revealed enough information through the investigative summaries prepared by the Texas Rangers and a report released by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility.—
Josh Margolin,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The law defines rodeos as spectator events that include bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, or any other event or activity that involves physically taking down an animal, roping an animal, or attempting to ride a bucking animal.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Advertisement Longevity is a theme that runs through our story on James—and one that defines its author too.—
Sam Jacobs,
Time,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Inspired by figures like Jack Greenberg, the longtime head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Dan chose public service, centering his path on helping the underserved while challenging entrenched systems of inequality.—
Joel Rubin,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
An alliance of prominent French business, publishing and film figures has joined forces to revive one of the most storied venues in Paris cinephilia, with luxury house Chanel serving as lead partner behind the reopening of the historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés cinema.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
As the rocks eroded and wore away into their iconic shapes, there were Indigenous people who hunted, gathered and farmed beside them.—
Staff,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Chestnuts bloom in these graceful, long pine-tree shapes, which look like a symbol of something.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Once again bringing together d’Adda’s rare and precious fabrics with Louboutin’s iconic silhouettes, the collection mirrors the designers’ ongoing creative exchange.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
-
Stepping out in the French capital after dark, the singer and actor embraced a softer side of glamour, trading her signature slinkier silhouettes for a dreamlike dress that embodied couture fantasy and modern-day fairytale all at once.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlines. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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