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

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

The governor’s finance office issued an analysis opposing the bill for failing to outline a cap on tax credits and for seeking to subsidize existing jobs rather than encouraging the creation of more journalism jobs. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 In 2006, Assange wrote two drafts of a paper outlining his own vision. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

Our geologists suspect that the polygons outline fractures that formed through drying, like cracks in mud do, or through thermal cycles, or compression. — Ashwin R. Vasavada, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Tap the fire icon or perimeter outline to view current fire details. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outline

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline

Verb

Booth traces some of that texture to how reality television engages with a location differently than scripted work does.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Taken together, the intimates trace a timeline of scientific innovation, societal progress, and sometimes surprising aesthetic choices.

— April White, JSTOR Daily, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of trace

Noun

The memo provides a summary of the agreement between Google and Entergy, as well as summaries of testimony provided by Entergy officials in support of the contract.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
The letter from Blumenthal and an accompanying summary of the whistleblower’s statements says the Postal Service began work on the portal on June 15 and stopped on June 25 after Talwani’s initial order.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of summary

Verb

Made for pretty much every texture, the airy foam gives fine-to-medium hair body without weighing it down, while helping define and smooth thicker waves and curls without sacrificing movement.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
Drone warfare has become a defining feature in the country's war, with both sides carrying out strikes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of define

Noun

Three layers of foam contour to your body and help take pressure off areas that need it most.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Despite this, black jackets and hair in the party scenes look properly dark while still showing their cuts and contours, and white shirts, lights, and balloons in the same shots all look bright while similarly preserving details.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of contour

Verb

The breakthrough came from a British engineer who sketched a solution using wooden coffee stirrers.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Birdsall had already sketched the initial design before turning the project over for fine-tuning to another friend, automotive designer Albrecht Goertz, who had just set up his New York studio.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of sketch

Browse Nearby Words

outlets

outline

outlined

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of outline

verb

noun

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