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

On Thursday, the Yes on Prop 45 campaign published research outlining a lucrative relationship between law firms that specialize in CEQA lawsuits and labor unions. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Following a Barclays note Wednesday that outlined what a merger between Tesla and SpaceX could look like, prediction market traders increased the odds of an integration above 50% for early 2027. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

For example, if an instructor wants to assess a student’s ability to structure an argument, using AI to generate an outline would interfere with what the assignment is designed to measure. — Melissa Loble, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Love Days retraces the outlines of Ettie’s life through the story of Susanna Moore. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outline

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline

Verb

The drama, now streaming, traces her evolution from grieving mother to vengeful killer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
This conceit allows Harbach to trace the development of not just his characters but his own work, through the reception of Owen’s book and through the way Westish students discuss his other authorial proxy, Edith Wharton.

— B. D. McClay, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of trace

Verb

For accountants, attorneys, consultants and other professionals, AI can accelerate research, summarize complex information and assist with writing and other forms of communication.

— Kaitlin Newkirk, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
But a new wave of executives are letting AI do the reading for them, using it to summarize reports, draft emails, and, in some cases, speak on their behalf.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of summarize

Noun

For the new movie, ILM preserved their recognizable silhouettes while inventing more realistic anatomy, movement and fighting styles.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
But Snell was just as inspired by the fashion of the ‘90s and early ‘00s — which do feature a similar silhouette to Austen’s own era — and by the relationship families and friends have to clothes that are timeless.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of silhouette

Noun

Charms on a bracelet sold through TikTok Shop, also advertised as sterling silver, contained about 33% cadmium, roughly 3,300 times the limit, according to trade publication JCK’s summary of the report.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Pew Research Center found that users clicked a traditional result on 8% of visits when an AI summary appeared, compared with 15% without one.

— Mark van Berkel, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of summary

Verb

Get timely insight into the cases, rulings, and constitutional questions defining America’s legal landscape.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
The postwar model of a large welfare and regulatory state, run by a class of civil servants charged with modernizing the economy, tempering market forces and defining the common good, has run its course.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of define

Noun

The multitasking device temporarily boosts radiance, improves firmness, and sculpts the look of facial contours—all in just a few minutes a day.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
The precise contour creates a modern, striking look and gives the hair structure and character.

— Lena Raab, Glamour, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of contour

Verb

Calvo, meanwhile, sits at a desk in his hotel room, gazing into the camera lens placidly while idly sketching on a sheet of paper.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
The flags couldn’t be redder, and Khoshnoudi nimbly sketches out the circuitous emotional paths S takes to avoid seeing them until such evasion suddenly and brutally becomes impossible.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sketch

Browse Nearby Words

outlets

outline

outlined

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Style

“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outline. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of outline

verb

noun

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