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 Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration has not yet compiled a fiscal impact report or memo outlining the impact of federal budget cuts on Tennessee.
—
Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Each agency maintains its own shutdown plan, outlining which staff remain on duty.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Along with outlining how Indian film is evolving and highlighting the enduring star power of a select few actors, the 25 Years of Indian Cinema (2000-2025) report also shows how viewers are divide the country’s growing market segments up by genre.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Jem brings a letter from his partner Nessa (Samantha Morton), outlining a family crisis with their boy Brian (Samuel Bottomley), whose bloodied knuckles indicate a violent nature that has prompted his withdrawal.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
Even something as simple as having each person write a letter outlining their concerns can reduce misunderstandings and promote empathy.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
The shell appeared brighter in the northeast and southwest, with a fainter arc connecting the two regions to the northwest, outlining the outer edge.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
According to the Texas Tribune, Mitchell’s letter marks the first time that a Texas university system has formally limited discussions of trans and nonbinary identities, despite him not explicitly outlining what professors can and cannot touch upon.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Prosecutors in Halligan’s office reportedly submitted a memorandum to Halligan outlining the weakness of the Comey case.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Each agency maintains its own shutdown plan, outlining which staff remain on duty.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Along with outlining how Indian film is evolving and highlighting the enduring star power of a select few actors, the 25 Years of Indian Cinema (2000-2025) report also shows how viewers are divide the country’s growing market segments up by genre.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Jem brings a letter from his partner Nessa (Samantha Morton), outlining a family crisis with their boy Brian (Samuel Bottomley), whose bloodied knuckles indicate a violent nature that has prompted his withdrawal.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
Even something as simple as having each person write a letter outlining their concerns can reduce misunderstandings and promote empathy.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
The shell appeared brighter in the northeast and southwest, with a fainter arc connecting the two regions to the northwest, outlining the outer edge.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
According to the Texas Tribune, Mitchell’s letter marks the first time that a Texas university system has formally limited discussions of trans and nonbinary identities, despite him not explicitly outlining what professors can and cannot touch upon.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Prosecutors in Halligan’s office reportedly submitted a memorandum to Halligan outlining the weakness of the Comey case.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
-
According to a survey conducted by Sourcing Journal in partnership with Oritain, 63 percent of industry executives indicate traceability is a strategic advantage, yet just 44 percent are actively tracing goods.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
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Bedtime finds us with A Young People’s History of the United States or Pam Muñoz Ryan’s The Dreamer, tracing young Pablo Neruda through rainforests and tempestuous seas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In May, Notion introduced Ai products for summarizing meetings and searching through corporate files.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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Bubble hems returned across skirts, pants and jackets, proving the detail can feel sharp and modern when well executed, while skirts in every form — sharp and structured, flowing and asymmetric — emerged as the defining piece of spring 2026.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
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This absence of shame is a defining generational factor.—
Glynnis MacNicol,
Flow Space,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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