borderline 1 of 3

as in frontier
located at or near a border a borderline region that is claimed by both countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

borderline

2 of 3

adverb

borderline

3 of 3

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of borderline
Adjective
After some highly amusing, borderline classic sketches, this does not quite hold up as much. Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2022 Springs’ slider is a viable third offering, a borderline average pitch, but when your top two offerings are doing work, average is just fine. Tony Blengino, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
Adverb
Fringe-y/borderline/ticking-time-bomb people are always out there and probably have active imaginations that go way beyond what sometimes pops up in movies. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Oct. 2019 Both teams came out hitting to start Game 2 and the intensity jumped another level after McNabb’s borderline hit on Kuznetsov. Adam Candee, Detroit Free Press, 30 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for borderline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for borderline
Adverb
  • The 2025 edition of DOC NYC Selects is almost here, and IndieWire can announce the program for the summer extension of the annual fall documentary festival.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 9 June 2025
  • Some real locations are almost literally depicted in the film.
    Kevin Giraud, Variety, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • In a Venezuelan election, running as an incumbent gives you the sort of edge that any unscrupulous and power-hungry leader around the world can only fantasize about.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
  • The water instead rolls down the fly and through the lower mesh edge, onto the exterior tub floor fabric and onto the ground.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • As of 2025, the highest marginal tax rate is 37%—but again, only a portion of income for the highest earners reaches that rate.
    Karla Dennis, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area south of a line from Kansas City to Kirksville under a marginal risk of severe weather.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
Adverb
  • In other words, this is quantum supremacy: the point where a quantum computer can perform a calculation that is practically impossible for any classical computer to do in a reasonable amount of time.
    John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • This vintage dessert practically floats off the plate.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • The root cause of this risk is a network perimeter security mindset.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Plans call for a perimeter walking-and-biking trail that loops into a network of pedestrian paths.
    Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2025
Adverb
  • Since the 2022 merger, WBD’s share price has fallen nearly 60%.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
  • Its life span is only a few weeks, but in that time one female can produce nearly a hundred offspring, peppering sorghum plants with larvae that look like sawdust and suck nutrients from the leaves, stunting the plants.
    Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Growing up near the Canadian border may also have endeared him to artists from the country.
    Richard Trapunski, Billboard, 6 June 2025
  • The longtime border journalist Todd Miller told me that border-security agencies such as C.B.P. and ICE have long relied on private contractors, including security guards who do menial work at ports of entry so that Border Patrol can conduct more rigorous missions.
    Jessica Pishko, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
Adverb
  • Last week, the world was treated to a new song by Rihanna, which is a fairly rare occurrence these days.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Even the fairly aggressive background blur the game uses looks toned down on the Switch 2.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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