OUTLINE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

outline 1 of 2

verb

Definition of outline next

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

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

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

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

Many companies outline their testing practices—whether in-house or through third-party labs—on their websites. —

Jordan Galloway, SELF, 30 Jan. 2025 The order also directs the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, to submit a plan outlining how Defense Department funds can be used to allow military families to send their children to schools of their choice. —

Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025

Noun

The team’s original logo, used until 1971, depicted a caricature of a Native American wearing a loincloth, tomahawk and headdress running on top of an outline of the region, including Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma and Arkansas. —

Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025 By catching the X-rays that are created as solar winds smash into the magnetopause, these satellites and other instruments have seen the outlines of the magnetic field. —

Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for outline

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline

Verb

Nothing is imminent – and much of it can be traced back to the lofty asking prices from San Diego executive A.J. Preller.

— Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
Inmate firefighting can trace its legacy to the practice of enslaved firefighting.

— Justin Hawkins / Made by History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025