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
The house was partially framed, with Eastern white pine outlining the shape of the rooms.
—
Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Last week, interim CEO King sent a memo outlining her concerns to the Chicago Board of Education.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The forum focused heavily on affordability, health care, childcare, and California's budget deficit, with candidates outlining competing policy approaches.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Sure, there’s the polar vortex at the center, as well as the large hexagonal ring outlining and bordering it.
—Big Think, 15 Apr. 2026
The mayor’s coordinated response team filed a memo about the new plan with the City Council, outlining an expansion of the Boston Police Department’s new Neighborhood Engagement Safety Team, or NEST, strategy citywide.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Before this year’s vote to decide among public safety, homeowner’s insurance and rent and homelessness as the group’s big mission —speakers made their cases, outlining real world ripple effects from each issue.
—Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Then, the report in the San Francisco Chronicle outlining Swalwell’s alleged misdeeds dropped.
—John Phillips, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
The evening featured Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers who presented the annual address outlining the city’s progress, priorities, and vision for the year ahead.
—Encinitas Advocate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Last week, interim CEO King sent a memo outlining her concerns to the Chicago Board of Education.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The forum focused heavily on affordability, health care, childcare, and California's budget deficit, with candidates outlining competing policy approaches.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Sure, there’s the polar vortex at the center, as well as the large hexagonal ring outlining and bordering it.
—Big Think, 15 Apr. 2026
The mayor’s coordinated response team filed a memo about the new plan with the City Council, outlining an expansion of the Boston Police Department’s new Neighborhood Engagement Safety Team, or NEST, strategy citywide.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Before this year’s vote to decide among public safety, homeowner’s insurance and rent and homelessness as the group’s big mission —speakers made their cases, outlining real world ripple effects from each issue.
—Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Then, the report in the San Francisco Chronicle outlining Swalwell’s alleged misdeeds dropped.
—John Phillips, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
The evening featured Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers who presented the annual address outlining the city’s progress, priorities, and vision for the year ahead.
—Encinitas Advocate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
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Large images from those defining moments filled the venue stage, tracing a career that has crossed stand-up, television and film.—
Jonathan Landrum Jr,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Tahini is a creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds, with origins tracing back to ancient Persia.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The inclusion of Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant, further enhances productivity by assisting with tasks such as summarizing content, generating ideas, and navigating system settings.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
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The state requires cities to submit an annual report summarizing progress on implementing the city’s general plan and reports on housing production, stated a report from Planning Manager Chris Dominguez.—
Jim Drummond,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His father is a pastor, and Holley calls his faith the defining characteristic of his life.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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The city’s food cart pods are a defining feature of its culinary identity, and the hub at SE 50th & Division is a great place to start.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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