as in frontier
located at or near a border
a borderline region that is claimed by both countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in almost
very close to but not completely
your answer was borderline rude, so I would advise you to be more diplomatic in the future
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in edge
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
the actual borderline separating the two properties is now being disputed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
-
But so many of the genre’s classics also involve intimate moments indoors that almost feel like stage plays.—
Sezin Devi Keohler,
EW.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
In a situation that would rattle almost anyone on their first day at a new job, Dr. Mel remains as unruffled as her ponytail braid and still doesn’t have a hair out of place at hour 12 of the shift.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Underlying these advances are robust AI infrastructures, such as Stargate and the AI RAN Alliance, which enhance edge computing capabilities.—
Cathy Hackl,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
In addition, the Pentagon's future stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, will have many of the same cutting edge technologies in advanced materials, AI, propulsion and stealth.—
TARA COPP THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Another potential solution is to scale the robot's operations so that its marginal profitability can offset the operating costs.—
Jeff Mahler,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Reducing personnel from six to four takes weight out of the boat and increases the likelihood of getting the F50 foiling in marginal conditions.—
Andrew Rice,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
There were other elements the artisans created practically for the production, like a Creeper tail that Ylfa (Toni Collette) slices up and blends.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
-
On one shift, Garland blocked a shot that stung him badly and was practically playing on one foot.—
Harman Dayal,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This means going beyond traditional perimeter defenses and endpoint security.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Enemy forces launched an attack that penetrated the base perimeter.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Other wolves have followed since then in nearly 100 sightings by CPW annually.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Zoom in: Watson learned that he was granted clemency while on a flight on his way to serve his nearly 10-year prison sentence, according to his spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer.—
Sara Fischer,
Axios,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
What travelers should know: Yes, border control can go through your phone.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
-
In the film, when two boys are kidnapped in a border town in Nepal, Detective Inspector Pooja is sent from Kathmandu to solve the case.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
There is no verification, but raiding parties are fairly regular.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The temperate climes and moderate humidity of the area make for a fairly gentle aging process, which in this case produces a nice balance between the natural flavor of the whisky and the influences of the cask and the wine.—
Tony Sachs,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share