Synonyms of outlines

outlines 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of outline

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

• traces
• defines
• sketches
• delineates
• lines
• silhouettes
• circles
• surrounds
• trims
• rounds
• margins
• edges
• frames
• draws
• bounds
• charts
• diagrams
• maps (out)
• rings
• fringes
• encircles
• rims
• loops
• skirts
• hems
• girths
• girdles
• compasses

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

• summarizes
• recapitulates
• encapsulates
• reprises
• briefs
• sums up
• consolidates
• epitomizes
• digests
• recaps
• boils down
• synopsizes
• wraps up
• abstracts
• condenses
• shortens
• curtails
• abridges
• simplifies
• shrinks
• cuts back
• downsizes
• streamlines
• concentrates
• essentializes
• decocts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extends
• lengthens
• prolongs
• elongates
• expands
• supplements
• amplifies
• protracts
• elaborates (on or upon)
• enlarges (on or upon)

outlines

2 of 2

noun

plural of outline

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

• contours
• figures
• shapes
• silhouettes
• sketches
• forms
• skylines
• profiles
• geometries
• casts
• frameworks
• delineations
• skeletons
• configurations
• conformations

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

• summaries
• summae
• summarizations
• synopses
• recapitulations
• précis
• recaps
• briefs
• digests
• sums
• résumés
• abstracts
• rundowns
• encapsulations
• inventories
• summings-up
• roundups
• conspectuses
• breviaries
• sum-ups
• capsules
• epitomes
• run-throughs
• abbreviations
• wrap-ups
• condensations
• compendiums
• compends
• abridgments
• reprises
• rehashes
• curtailments
• simplifications
• shortenings
• conclusions
• epilogues

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansions
• enlargements
• supplements
• amplifications
• addenda

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of outlines

Verb

This text outlines eight successive stages of yoga aimed at reaching mental tranquility through focus on God. — Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

The settlement also outlines more robust and user-friendly parental controls, stronger age verification measures TikTok must take, and stronger content moderation protocols. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026

The letter outlines topics that End Citizens United wants KPDC to investigate. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

The movie outlines his early childhood in South Africa (complete with an interview with his father, Errol Musk), and covers Musk overtaking Tesla and the acquisition of Twitter. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2026

For practices planning to bill Medicare, CMS outlines a separate enrollment process that includes obtaining an NPI, completing enrollment through PECOS and working with the appropriate Medicare administrative contractor. — Ajay Prasad, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

That page also outlines how the agency helped emergency managers assess the damage in New York City just after the attacks and discusses some of the ways NASA has honored 9/11 victims and their families over the years. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Both locals allege Ford has repeatedly violated a part of Article VII in the union's national contract that outlines how grievances are handled. — Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 2026

The report outlines the involvement of the Korean National Intelligence Service, or NIS, leading up to the recovery of the computer. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

Haring, whose artwork is characterized by bold outlines and rhythmic figures punctuated by playful wit, has become synonymous with the 1980s New York downtown art scene. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Things turned ugly when the outlines of the Khashoggi offer emerged. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026

Like some of the music, the album artwork also pays homage to the animal world and our interconnectedness—the abstract piece offers a single line drawing that weaves in outlines of a panting dog, screeching cat, stoic bunny, and wise owl. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026

Goh begins each coffin by tracing the outlines on the wood with a pencil before cutting and shaping it. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

In New York City, light-up drones recreated the outlines of the twin towers that used to be a fixture in the skyline before they were demolished in the attacks. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 11 Sep. 2026

Sardine skeletons take center stage against a neutral base, while black detailing and chrome outlines give the design a sleek, graphic finish. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026

Many of the risks Gates outlines are specific to richer, Western countries. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

To ensure a net gain, our agency completely avoids cliché prompts and invests significant time in sharpening them with firsthand data, raw outlines and strict audience constraints. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026