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

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
His budget director, Lori Wolff sent a memo to the state’s powerful budget committee Tuesday, outlining how cuts will eliminate meals for 31,000 seniors and make fewer seasonal firefighters available. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026 The founders drafted a 10-Point Program, a list of demands outlining fundamental needs for the community. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
The black outline at the neckline of the dress was contrasted by a soft, creamy color on the remaining fabric. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026 Map drawers draft the outlines of these districts, as well as those for state senate and state house seats, city council districts, and county precincts, like in Galveston County. —Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 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
  • Ireland, the Steelers and the Rooney connection The Rooney family, the Steelers’ majority owners, trace their roots to Ireland, where their ancestors emigrated from in the 1840s before eventually settling in Pittsburgh.
    — Tom Chitty, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Though the holiday’s origins trace back to ancient China, it’s now celebrated across East and Southeast Asia and abroad.
    — Phoebe Fry, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of trace
Verb
  • Mo Dakhil, a former video coordinator for the Spurs and Clippers, summarized that discontent in an appearance on Zach Lowe’s podcast this week.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The Miami Herald was the first to report the FBI 302 document, which summarizes the interview.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of summarize
Noun
  • The new car was concealed in a glass box with frosted windows that allowed passers-by to see the silhouette of mechanics assembling the car throughout the weekend.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
  • In an old-Hollywood silhouette with a sweetheart neckline, the royal and lifestyle guru leaned into the simple but elegant trends that have dominated red carpet fashion this awards season.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of silhouette
Noun
  • That’s the summary that quickly spread across tabloids and celebrity-news sites.
    — Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of summary
Verb
  • What makes the current moment so striking is that the drift now appears to be reversing, cautiously and without the overexuberance that defined the post-WTO era.
    — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Yet the defining challenges of our era do not respect borders.
    — Alan H.H. Fleischmann, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of define
Noun
  • Lee recommends building depth with a natural-toned contour on the upper and lower lip line, right at the center.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
  • These usually have a cradling design to contour to the body.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of contour
Verb
  • To do the job well, historical novelists must learn about the conventions of an era, the social and political tensions of the time even if these are only used to sketch out the background.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
  • As it’s currently sketched out, the city would help Habitat cover the upfront cost of a home, but the home would never be owned by the city.
    — Mars King, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on outline

Nglish: Translation of outline for Spanish Speakers

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