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 city of Decatur is outlining the steps it's been taking to boost security at schools.
—
Monique John, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
But on June 8, 2023, officers issued an environmental protection compliance order to the company, outlining steps the company was to take.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
According to charging documents, officers later found Seymour’s apartment unlocked and abandoned, her vehicle parked at Salt Lake City International Airport, and a notebook outlining plans to discard phones and documents.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Low fence markers can be seen outlining the building zone along Route 2, which slopes along open land, wooded patches and some ravines.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Instead of simply outlining Eminem’s life, his fans play a large role in sharing what his music has meant to them throughout the decades.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
As previously reported by the Daily News, the USDOT sent a letter to the Gateway Development Commission and the MTA last month, outlining changes to its contracting practices that would be required to restore funding.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Informational pamphlets outlining the new rules and bike safety tips are handed to student bikers by their principals on campus, Harris said.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
His office released a report outlining human rights abuses in immigration detention centers.
—Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Monique John, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
But on June 8, 2023, officers issued an environmental protection compliance order to the company, outlining steps the company was to take.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
According to charging documents, officers later found Seymour’s apartment unlocked and abandoned, her vehicle parked at Salt Lake City International Airport, and a notebook outlining plans to discard phones and documents.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Low fence markers can be seen outlining the building zone along Route 2, which slopes along open land, wooded patches and some ravines.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Instead of simply outlining Eminem’s life, his fans play a large role in sharing what his music has meant to them throughout the decades.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
As previously reported by the Daily News, the USDOT sent a letter to the Gateway Development Commission and the MTA last month, outlining changes to its contracting practices that would be required to restore funding.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Informational pamphlets outlining the new rules and bike safety tips are handed to student bikers by their principals on campus, Harris said.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
His office released a report outlining human rights abuses in immigration detention centers.
—Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlining
Verb
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Dive into the outdoor pool or sink into one of the hot tubs, take a test drive tracing the endless miles of evergreen treeline in one of the property’s fully electric Audi vehicles, or have the concierge arrange a fly-fishing session for you in the Roaring Fork Valley.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
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Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s Master, tracing the rise of a teacher drawn into local politics in Bangladesh and moving from idealism to authoritarian impulses, won the Big Screen Competition.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The auditor, Andy Hanau, sent the entire council a memo in December summarizing recent savings and efficiencies his office has generated.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The next hit product likely won’t be built on summarizing our conversations.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One of the defining images of this Super Bowl run for Patriots fans will be a bloodied Vrabel, grinning after a celebratory headbutt from Milton Williams after a fourth-down sack that sealed a wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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With endurance as its defining advantage, the aircraft aims to support future mission networks that demand persistent sensing and rapid decision-making at scale.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlining. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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