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
Much of that material is now unavailable, along with catastrophe models used to develop rates, and emails outlining regulators’ objections to how rates were developed.
—
Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
In an interview with CBS News Texas, West said Plano has delivered a letter of intent outlining its offer, even as the Stars continue negotiating with Dallas on a plan that could keep the team at American Airlines Center beyond its 2031 lease expiration.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
On the earnings call, Ellison and other Paramount executives expanded on those thoughts, outlining their thinking around AI, Pluto TV and free streaming, and the future of the company’s studio business.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
In a blog post Tuesday outlining its new policy, Anthropic said shortcomings in its two-year-old Responsible Scaling Policy could hinder its ability to compete in a rapidly growing AI market.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
On Monday, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced the signing of a document outlining a legal and political framework for establishing stability and security and organizing elections.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Securing two triage rooms to complete the exam as a way to ensure privacy in the busy emergency department, Dana, with help from Emma, begins the evidence collection while carefully outlining the process to Ilana.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2026
Securing two triage rooms to complete the exam as a way to ensure privacy in the busy emergency department, Dana, with help from Emma, begins the evidence collection while carefully outlining the process to Ilana.
—Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Implementing the next steps of the ceasefire, including the demilitarization of Hamas, a key stipulation and sticking point in the ceasefire deal, as well as outlining plans to rebuild Gaza, where much of the enclave has been destroyed, will be a monumental task.
—Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
In an interview with CBS News Texas, West said Plano has delivered a letter of intent outlining its offer, even as the Stars continue negotiating with Dallas on a plan that could keep the team at American Airlines Center beyond its 2031 lease expiration.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
On the earnings call, Ellison and other Paramount executives expanded on those thoughts, outlining their thinking around AI, Pluto TV and free streaming, and the future of the company’s studio business.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
In a blog post Tuesday outlining its new policy, Anthropic said shortcomings in its two-year-old Responsible Scaling Policy could hinder its ability to compete in a rapidly growing AI market.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
On Monday, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced the signing of a document outlining a legal and political framework for establishing stability and security and organizing elections.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Securing two triage rooms to complete the exam as a way to ensure privacy in the busy emergency department, Dana, with help from Emma, begins the evidence collection while carefully outlining the process to Ilana.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2026
Securing two triage rooms to complete the exam as a way to ensure privacy in the busy emergency department, Dana, with help from Emma, begins the evidence collection while carefully outlining the process to Ilana.
—Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Implementing the next steps of the ceasefire, including the demilitarization of Hamas, a key stipulation and sticking point in the ceasefire deal, as well as outlining plans to rebuild Gaza, where much of the enclave has been destroyed, will be a monumental task.
—Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
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This fascinating film features interviews and previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage of the two I Love Lucy stars, tracing the arc of their love story and coinciding careers.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
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Try to control the fungal activity by tracing the declining limbs back to healthy portions of the hedge.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Goldberg said, summarizing why her name appears alongside Behar's in the documents.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
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Our clinicians spend a lot of time digging through electronic data, summarizing it and making decisions.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cost-of-living concerns are driving voter preferences, with affordability emerging as a defining issue that could shape the election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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The group delivered the defining play of the Phoenix game when Scheierman elevated to contest a shot at the rim, Harper soared in to block it off the backboard and Gonzalez raced the other way for a coast-to-coast Eurostep layup.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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