outline 1 of 2

verb

Definition of outlinenext
1
as in to trace
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 to summarize
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

outline

2 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌlīn How to pronounce outline (audio)
1
as in silhouette
a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface place your hand on the paper and draw an outline around it

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in summary
a short statement of the main points a printed outline of the lecture has been made available for all attendees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun outline differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of outline are contour, profile, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When might contour be a better fit than outline?

The meanings of contour and outline largely overlap; however, contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When can profile be used instead of outline?

In some situations, the words profile and outline are roughly equivalent. However, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

When is it sensible to use silhouette instead of outline?

The synonyms silhouette and outline are sometimes interchangeable, but silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

How does the noun outline differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of outline are contour, profile, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When might contour be a better fit than outline?

The meanings of contour and outline largely overlap; however, contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When can profile be used instead of outline?

In some situations, the words profile and outline are roughly equivalent. However, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

When is it sensible to use silhouette instead of outline?

The synonyms silhouette and outline are sometimes interchangeable, but silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

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 outline
Verb
The coppery hue comes through as red in contrast with her eye color and glossy lips, outlined in a tan pencil. —Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Mar. 2026 The memo also outlined instances where Pujoe had tried to bring a student to a downstate athletic competition and attempted to get students hotel rooms for competitions they were not supposed to attend. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Impossible to guess the outline of her will. —María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026 Not that long ago, the Cleveland Browns appeared to have the outline of a team that could seriously compete in the AFC. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline
  1. trace
  2. summarize
  3. silhouette
  4. summary
  5. define
  6. contour
  7. sketch
Verb
  • Frazer traces his love of the harmonica to 1970, when San Diego’s KPRI radio introduced him to acts such as Paul Butterfield, Canned Heat and John Mayall.
    — Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The island’s cooperative spirit traces back to 1817.
    — NPR, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of trace
Verb
  • Here’s the five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties, summarized by AI based on information from the National Weather Service.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The state requires cities to submit an annual report summarizing progress on implementing the city’s general plan and reports on housing production, stated a report from Planning Manager Chris Dominguez.
    — Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of summarize
Noun
  • Pair light-blue barrel jeans with these shoes, a basic white T-shirt, and a structured long coat for a look proves that clothes with trendy silhouettes can feel timeless too.
    — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2026
  • When incorporated in a modern wardrobe, these are the kinds of silhouettes that elevate, but also remain grounded in the needs of everyday.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of silhouette
Noun
  • A student who had asked AI for a chapter summary instead of reading the chapter might get the broad strokes, but there is a strong chance that the one specific detail the quiz will ask about did not make it into the summary, Buck said.
    — Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The class action suit against Google, filed last week by a plaintiff with the pseudonym Jane Doe, alleged that the company's AI Mode created its own summaries and links, exposing Epstein victims' personal identifying information (PII), including names, phone numbers and email addresses.
    — Jennifer Elias,Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of summary
Verb
  • Sound design—the particular timbre of a bass drum or a synth sweep—often defines the identity of a track.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • That shop, Orange County Drum & Percussion, better known as OCDP, would go on to define the look and sound of a generation of alternative rock drummers.
    — Jeff Miller, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of define
Noun
  • The earbuds are more comfortable than previous generations, too, featuring a shorter stem and refined contour that fits the ear more closely.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • And do posture or contour pillows actually work?
    — Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of contour
Verb
  • Cars have been sketched, modeled and brought to life for 140 years.
    — Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Start sketching out something to look forward to then.
    — Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of sketch

Browse Nearby Words

outlets
outline
outlined
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outline. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on outline

Nglish: Translation of outline for Spanish Speakers

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