BORDERLINE Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

borderline 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn

Definition of borderline

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

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

borderline

3 of 3

noun

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

Adjective

Sugar approaches him with an air of borderline ignorant confidence and requests a conversation with his boss. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026 As soon as daylight saving time hits, like clockwork, my once borderline obsessive need to have perfectly pristine floors, windows, walls, and closets is thrown to the wayside. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

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

Noun

The answer is yes, but only when PREVENT risk is classified as borderline or intermediate. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Aug. 2026 Gay, who is borderline to make the 53-man roster even with a high number of LB injuries, has seen his special teams participation increase recently, which enhances his chances of making the final roster. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for borderline

Recent Examples of Synonyms for borderline

Adjective

That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025

Definition of frontier

Adverb

Brentford have almost qualified for Europe in the past two seasons.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Carley Garner, a commodity market strategist and broker at DeCarley Trading, said smaller futures and oil ETFs such as the United States Oil Fund (ticker USO) have made speculation possible for traders at almost any level of experience or funding.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of almost

Noun

The negative is that rookie edge Keyron Crawford is out for the year with an ankle injury.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
China continues to rely on Dutch manufacturer ASML for nearly all of its cutting-edge deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, while some DUV systems encounter US export restrictions.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of edge

Adjective

In stories centered on objects ranging from a button to a tin soldier, young authors recognize the it-narrative’s potential not only for amusement but for showcasing the power of the small and marginal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Going back to the Mets example, perhaps in an uber-technical sense a Mets’ loss could have marginal economic impact as some fans guzzle more beer to drown away their sorrows.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of marginal

Adverb

This $6 high-neck tank is a layering staple (under a polka-dot cardigan, perhaps), while this chambray button-down is practically begging to be worn at the pumpkin patch.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Yet, in her relatively short career, practically every accomplishment of Eala’s comes with a historic superlative.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of practically

Adverb

This also includes the largest American variant, the western mastiff, with a wingspan of nearly two feet, and the smallest, the thumb-sized, nickel-weighing western pipistrelle, also called the canyon bat.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
In a Facebook post with nearly 500 likes and 40 comments as of Friday afternoon, the Gagnons spoke about their experience establishing the brewery and its part in the local community.

— John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of nearly

Noun

The death toll from the devastating floods and mudslides along the Nepal-China border has risen to at least 676 people, as rescue operations stall amid poor weather.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
On the Chinese side of the border, in the autonomous region of Tibet, the deluge overwhelmed Gyirong Port, a major border crossing with Nepal that, in scenes reminiscent of a disaster movie, appears to have been completely washed away.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of border

Browse Nearby Words

borderlands

borderline

borderlines

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of borderline

adjective

adverb

noun

Example Sentences

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