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
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Recent Examples of outlines
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
In the annual address, delivered before a joint session of Congress, the President traditionally gives remarks on the condition of the country and outlines legislative goals.
—Time Video, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
The bill outlines that to become a member of the Indiana National Guard military police force, the adjutant general will make sure the members have security clearance and no felony convictions.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
The bill that creates a stadium authority and outlines the finances for such a facility, Senate Bill 27, passed the House just now by a 95-4 vote, prompting a round of applause.
—Kaitlin Lange, IndyStar, 25 Feb. 2026
According to Congress’ website, the State of the Union is a speech in which the president explains how the country is doing and outlines what issues lawmakers should focus on in the year ahead.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau outlines how earnest money functions in residential real estate transactions.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
Section 5200 outlines a far more thorough evaluation and care plan than 5150.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
From giving red packets to ensuring your home is properly prepared, CNN outlines the essential do’s and don’ts to help set the tone for a successful year ahead.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Megan McCluskey, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
The dual front lighting configuration was tossed out, for example; the LED outlines visible there serve as both the DRL and turn signal.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 18 Feb. 2026
The Bureau of Reclamation in January published outlines of the plans officials are considering.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
The project, which is not set within the Iron Sky universe but is designed with a similar outlandish tone, will be directed by Vuorensola, who is developing the script outlines with Finlandia Award–winning author Johanna Sinisalo, who co-wrote the original Iron Sky.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Map drawers draft the outlines of these districts, as well as those for state senate and state house seats, city council districts, and county precincts, like in Galveston County.
—Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Single hearts and nail-bed outlines skew minimalist but instantly referential.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
The outlines weren’t crisp, but the impression was deep enough to collect sand grains and pebbles.
—Yutao Chen, Washington Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The agreement’s outlines remain unclear, but potentially involve rights to Greenland’s minerals and increased NATO presence.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
The announcement comes as the museum outlines an ambitious slate of exhibitions through 2027.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
In the annual address, delivered before a joint session of Congress, the President traditionally gives remarks on the condition of the country and outlines legislative goals.
—Time Video, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
The bill outlines that to become a member of the Indiana National Guard military police force, the adjutant general will make sure the members have security clearance and no felony convictions.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
The bill that creates a stadium authority and outlines the finances for such a facility, Senate Bill 27, passed the House just now by a 95-4 vote, prompting a round of applause.
—Kaitlin Lange, IndyStar, 25 Feb. 2026
According to Congress’ website, the State of the Union is a speech in which the president explains how the country is doing and outlines what issues lawmakers should focus on in the year ahead.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau outlines how earnest money functions in residential real estate transactions.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
Section 5200 outlines a far more thorough evaluation and care plan than 5150.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
From giving red packets to ensuring your home is properly prepared, CNN outlines the essential do’s and don’ts to help set the tone for a successful year ahead.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
However, the good news is that, according to Parker, his aim is for the series to follow Dunk and Egg down the long and winding road Martin has laid out for the entirety of their lives—both in his three existing novellas and an additional 12 outlines for still unpublished tales.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
The dual front lighting configuration was tossed out, for example; the LED outlines visible there serve as both the DRL and turn signal.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 18 Feb. 2026
The Bureau of Reclamation in January published outlines of the plans officials are considering.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
The project, which is not set within the Iron Sky universe but is designed with a similar outlandish tone, will be directed by Vuorensola, who is developing the script outlines with Finlandia Award–winning author Johanna Sinisalo, who co-wrote the original Iron Sky.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Map drawers draft the outlines of these districts, as well as those for state senate and state house seats, city council districts, and county precincts, like in Galveston County.
—Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Single hearts and nail-bed outlines skew minimalist but instantly referential.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
The outlines weren’t crisp, but the impression was deep enough to collect sand grains and pebbles.
—Yutao Chen, Washington Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The agreement’s outlines remain unclear, but potentially involve rights to Greenland’s minerals and increased NATO presence.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlines
Verb
-
The falling snow provided a fitting backdrop for a niche Alpine sport that traces its roots back to the late 19th century.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The book is an illustrated autobiography that traces Dillane’s beginnings selling T-shirts in high school to his popular fashion shows in New York and Paris.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Miami Herald was the first to report the FBI 302 document, which summarizes the interview.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The seven-page report, which is redacted, summarizes the police response and investigation of the incident.—
Mark Reynolds,
The Providence Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bondi had a binder at the ready of stats and crime summaries to hurl at lawmakers during the contentious hearing, but members are unnerved that the DOJ apparently tracked their searches to have at the ready.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The story summaries above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Borrero’s amendment defines large destination resorts as those with at least five contiguous acres, 500 rooms or more and an average occupancy rate of at least 70% in the past three years.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Swoosh print defines this KD 6 colorway from 2013 now returning for the first time.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Guard against miscommunications with authority figures.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Government officials say more than 2,000 detainees have been released under precautionary measures and at least 177 prisoners have received full amnesty benefits, according to figures provided by ruling party lawmaker Jorge Arreaza, who heads the parliamentary commission overseeing compliance.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For a crafty afternoon, use wire cutters to cut metal hangers into smaller pieces and bend them into small shepherd’s hook shapes to decorate as plant markers.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Best Anthropologie Deals Anthropologie’s whimsical shapes and playful patterns translate seamlessly into its sleepwear department, proving pajamas can be just as stylish and fun as your daytime wardrobe.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The brand’s silhouettes, colors, and textures never miss, and this spring’s new arrivals are no exception.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Now the Dutch brand is taking these tools to sharpen classic denim silhouettes.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlines. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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