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

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

If a teacher, school, or district outlines an AI policy more restrictive than this one, that policy takes precedence for students submitting to the contest as part of a class assignment. — USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

However, the order also outlines administrative steps that must occur first. — Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

The rewards Gates, ever the optimist, also outlines some major boons the technology holds. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

The university’s master plan also outlines plans to include over 25 new buildings including dorms, sport facilities, parking lots and classrooms. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Another point of contention by the supervisors was that the legislation outlines that a draft EIR approved 18 years ago would still apply to the Collinsville Special Study Area, east of Collinsville Road. — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

The former outlines requirements that would prohibit an individual from becoming an owner or director of a club. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Gold chrome accents and outlines give this look a glam finish. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026

Abrams said the broad outlines of a war with Iran, including it contesting the Strait of Hormuz, were well understood in national security circles before the fighting began. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 27 Aug. 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

In his experimental doc, Wadimoff has the Palestinian refugees recreate the experiences of their escape from Gaza on a barren stage marked out by chalk outlines, in the style of Lars von Trier’s Dogville. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

The sky was a smoky grayish-orange and trees a few hundred yards away had turned to ghostly outlines. — Lorraine Boissoneault, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026

But classes, workshops, books and experience have taught me practical approaches to developing outlines, deepening character arcs or revising scenes. — Rajani Larocca, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Compressed color values—in contrast to the wide modulations in tone that Cassatt allowed elsewhere—heighten the sense of mass, while unexpected bright blue outlines seal their contours. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026