Synonyms of outlining

outlining

verb

present participle of outline

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

• tracing
• defining
• sketching
• delineating
• circling
• surrounding
• trimming
• silhouetting
• lining
• rounding
• framing
• drawing
• bounding
• edging
• skirting
• encircling
• charting
• hemming
• rimming
• ringing
• looping
• fringing
• mapping (out)
• margining
• diagramming
• girdling
• girthing
• compassing

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

• summarizing
• digesting
• briefing
• recapitulating
• encapsulating
• consolidating
• recapping
• summing up
• reprising
• abstracting
• synopsizing
• epitomizing
• condensing
• wrapping up
• boiling down
• curtailing
• shortening
• abridging
• cutting back
• downsizing
• shrinking
• simplifying
• streamlining
• concentrating
• decocting
• essentializing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extending
• lengthening
• prolonging
• expanding
• supplementing
• elongating
• amplifying
• protracting
• enlarging (on or upon)
• elaborating (on or upon)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of outlining

Look east and southeast after dark for the Great Square of Pegasus — four moderately bright stars (Scheat, Alpheratz, Markab and Algenib) outlining an enormous square. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

In 2025, Stephen Blumberg, the director of the CDC division that oversees the survey, published a memo outlining the redesign. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026

The report includes both the specific radiology findings plus a simplified report outlining all the results. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Sep. 2026

Also included was a letter to Carlo Capasa, the president of the Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana, outlining their intentions. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026

The Textile Exchange released two reports this week outlining sustainability gains and overall growth in the global fiber and textile industry. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Sneed released a statement to The Charlotte Observer’s news partner WSOC-TV shortly before the meeting began, outlining her accomplishments as chair. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026

At the end of last season, Deerfield coach Brandon Geuder sent out an email outlining the terms of the program’s offseason training program, which included after-school workouts three times a week. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

In 2000, Lake Como Principal Bonita Glester wrote a message to Moore outlining a situation where Moore left students unsupervised on a playground. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026