1
as in tracing
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 summarizing
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outlining
Kennedy has also recently cleaned house in the CDC’s critical advisory committee, which makes vaccine policy recommendations to the CDC’s director, including those outlining who should get vaccinated, with what vaccines and at what age.
—
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Since the discovery of PFAS, town officials — who are elected volunteers — feel there hasn't been a lot of guidance from the state, other than outlining that something needs to be done to bring the PFAS levels down.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Ditiu hopes that outlining the scale of potential suffering will galvanize counties and donors to push for the lower range of study's projections.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
In his offer letter outlining his employment terms, the company pledged to establish a small remote office in Newport Beach, California.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
The administration also issued a memo outlining federal workers’ rights to religious expression in the workplace in August.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
The idea of outlining jobs where tips were regularly received last year also eliminates the temptation to redefine how people are paid to qualify for a new tax break.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Instead of receiving basic information, she was sent a document outlining fees, house rules and disciplinary policies.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
The report will list possible causes for autism based on a review of research, while also outlining the research that is still unknown on the subject.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Since the discovery of PFAS, town officials — who are elected volunteers — feel there hasn't been a lot of guidance from the state, other than outlining that something needs to be done to bring the PFAS levels down.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Ditiu hopes that outlining the scale of potential suffering will galvanize counties and donors to push for the lower range of study's projections.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
In his offer letter outlining his employment terms, the company pledged to establish a small remote office in Newport Beach, California.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
The administration also issued a memo outlining federal workers’ rights to religious expression in the workplace in August.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
The idea of outlining jobs where tips were regularly received last year also eliminates the temptation to redefine how people are paid to qualify for a new tax break.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Instead of receiving basic information, she was sent a document outlining fees, house rules and disciplinary policies.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
The report will list possible causes for autism based on a review of research, while also outlining the research that is still unknown on the subject.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
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The sharp, but flexible point allows for drawing fluid, sweeping lines, but also honing in on the tiniest details, like tracing the very inner corners of your lash lines or shaping the upward flick of a cat eye.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Dubbed FoundStock, the standard provides a clear and auditable system for tracing materials that were produced but never used.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Reflective listening means repeating or summarizing what your partner said in your own words.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The details of the letter are significantly more substantial than those shared in Board President Ben Avey’s announcement at Tuesday’s meeting summarizing the board’s recent actions following the completion of an independent investigation into Bloise’s conduct.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Taken together, these signals show that resilience is not a marginal concern but a defining lens for value creation.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The West may think of his nation in terms of space-age technology and zeitgeist-defining cultural phenomena like KPop Demon Hunters, though in truth South Korea battles the lowest birth rate, top suicide rate, and highest youth unemployment of any developed nation.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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