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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of outlining
This had led to a memorandum in October 2024 outlining a framework for AI governance and risk management in national security.
—
Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2026
The commission created a framework outlining what members wanted included in a sanctuary city ordinance, then worked with the city attorney and police chief to draft it.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Labor market anxiety was on full display last month when markets dropped on a Citrini Research report outlining an extreme scenario where AI disrupted every manner of knowledge jobs faster than the economy and policymakers could manage the transition.
—Conor Sen, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
While the easiest way to catch both the ceremony and all the red carpet coverage online for free is through DirecTV’s five-day trial period, The Hollywood Reporter is further outlining each streaming option ahead.
—Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
The community roundtable was the first in a series outlining the rollout of the district’s five-year blueprint to break down achievement barriers for Black students.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The agency on Thursday provided an update to the Court of International Trade (CIT) outlining the tool, which will live within its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Mar. 2026
Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum, both members of the WNBPA executive committee, reportedly wrote a letter to Jackson outlining concerns with the state of the negotiations, including a lack of clarity about their roles and a lack of transparency about league proposals.
—Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce released a comprehensive binational report Wednesday outlining a five-pillar strategy to address the Tijuana River contamination crisis, a problem that has plagued South San Diego County communities for decades.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2026
The commission created a framework outlining what members wanted included in a sanctuary city ordinance, then worked with the city attorney and police chief to draft it.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Labor market anxiety was on full display last month when markets dropped on a Citrini Research report outlining an extreme scenario where AI disrupted every manner of knowledge jobs faster than the economy and policymakers could manage the transition.
—Conor Sen, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
While the easiest way to catch both the ceremony and all the red carpet coverage online for free is through DirecTV’s five-day trial period, The Hollywood Reporter is further outlining each streaming option ahead.
—Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
The community roundtable was the first in a series outlining the rollout of the district’s five-year blueprint to break down achievement barriers for Black students.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The agency on Thursday provided an update to the Court of International Trade (CIT) outlining the tool, which will live within its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Mar. 2026
Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum, both members of the WNBPA executive committee, reportedly wrote a letter to Jackson outlining concerns with the state of the negotiations, including a lack of clarity about their roles and a lack of transparency about league proposals.
—Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce released a comprehensive binational report Wednesday outlining a five-pillar strategy to address the Tijuana River contamination crisis, a problem that has plagued South San Diego County communities for decades.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
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The film pieces together everyday lives transformed by war—those who flee, those who lose everything, and those who stay to resist and fight—tracing both the instinct to survive and the need for closeness.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
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Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine tracing back 3,000 years in India, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.—
Emma Hall
March 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That’s Ai Weiwei, summarizing both his life and his work.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Here’s a table summarizing what this approach reveals.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Waddle can be quirky and hilarious — but his unselfishness remains a defining quality.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Kudrow is widely recognized as one of the defining comedic performers of her generation.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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