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

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

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

The agreement outlines how the city would be reimbursed for specific services — that exceed a normal day — provided within the city limits for the 2028 Games, such as sanitation, security and other things. — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026

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

Noun

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

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