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
Context, caveats and critical thinking must all be considered when outlining the process from start to finish.
—
Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 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
The Skydance mogul sent a companywide memo to employees of Paramount Pictures, CBS, Paramount+, Showtime, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET and Comedy Central outlining a policy for full-time staffers in New York and Los Angeles to work in-office by January 2026, moving toward five days a week on site.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Two years ago, notable filmmakers and Hollywood celebs like Mark Ruffalo, Joaquin Phoenix and Rachel McAdams signed an open letter to TIFF outlining their concerns over RBC, which is reportedly one of the largest financiers of oil and gas projects that negatively impact Indigenous lands.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
The rear edge of the laptop has been redesigned, now with end-to-end RGB trim outlining the ventilation area.
—Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025
And last April, Enrico Letta published a 147-page report outlining the future of Europe's single market.
—Vilius Kavaliauskas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Snider recently published a research paper analyzing middling case clearances in police agencies across the country, including for homicides, and outlining the challenges that get in the way.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
How many federal agents will be deployed to Great Lakes is unknown, but hopefully Lake County tourism marketeers already are preparing packets for the visitors, outlining sights and attractions available when rest and relaxation breaks are taken after a tough tour of duty in Chicago.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 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
The Skydance mogul sent a companywide memo to employees of Paramount Pictures, CBS, Paramount+, Showtime, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET and Comedy Central outlining a policy for full-time staffers in New York and Los Angeles to work in-office by January 2026, moving toward five days a week on site.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Two years ago, notable filmmakers and Hollywood celebs like Mark Ruffalo, Joaquin Phoenix and Rachel McAdams signed an open letter to TIFF outlining their concerns over RBC, which is reportedly one of the largest financiers of oil and gas projects that negatively impact Indigenous lands.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
The rear edge of the laptop has been redesigned, now with end-to-end RGB trim outlining the ventilation area.
—Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025
And last April, Enrico Letta published a 147-page report outlining the future of Europe's single market.
—Vilius Kavaliauskas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Snider recently published a research paper analyzing middling case clearances in police agencies across the country, including for homicides, and outlining the challenges that get in the way.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
How many federal agents will be deployed to Great Lakes is unknown, but hopefully Lake County tourism marketeers already are preparing packets for the visitors, outlining sights and attractions available when rest and relaxation breaks are taken after a tough tour of duty in Chicago.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
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The canine's owner has shared several other videos to the Instagram account that show Tini tracing the man's steps to the elevator on different days.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Then, as evening falls, stroll along the canals or watch the sun melt into Øresund’s horizon—tracing wind turbines spinning in silhouette.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Smartphone Deals The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is $275 off and features a gorgeous display that stays readable in direct sunlight, while next-level AI tricks genuinely save time, like summarizing calls or finding pet photos from vague voice commands.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Aug. 2025
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An account manager might spend hours summarizing everything the new manager needs to know or skip it altogether.—
Eilon Reshef,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Impact of 'Bluey' There's no doubt that Bluey is one of those shows that's defining our current era.—
De Elizabeth,
Parents,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The company has positioned itself to revive theatrical Hindi-language cinema through genre-defining storytelling.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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