outline 1 of 2

outline

2 of 2

noun

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
State and county laws require owners to register the animals with a municipal or county office and outline specific space, quality and fencing requirements for the sake of safety and the animals’ welfare. Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2025 The sheriff on Friday outlined Arakawa's final days. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
But Johnson won a key victory last week when Mr. Trump endorsed his chamber's budget outline. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2025 The plan has strained the basic outlines of an already shaky ceasefire in Gaza following more than 15 months of war and Israeli airstrikes that have decimated the territory and killed at least 48,000 people, most of them women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Aya Batrawy, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline
Verb
  • The Louvre’s debut fashion exhibit spotlights precious objects from the Byzantine era to the Second French Empire, tracing their influence on designer clothing.
    Hannah Malach, WWD, 9 Mar. 2025
  • With that lead, investigators traced the mummy to a film production company that had purchased it in the ’60s.
    Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Comer summarized Denver’s 2017 policy — mentioned below — which prohibits local law enforcement and jail deputies from aiding in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
    Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Still, Trump is expected to use the opportunity to summarize his early second-term accomplishments.
    Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The jacket also included a longer silhouette in the back.
    Mikelle Street, WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
  • This season, however, designers are turning up the sartorial dial on the staple, playing with new-and-proved silhouettes, bold colors and patterns, to more textured takes.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The military released only a summary of the report and military officials outlined its findings.
    MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH, WAFAA SHURAFA, NATALIE MELZER AND TIA GOLDENBERG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Agencies will still be allowed to offer documents and services in languages other than English, according to a White House summary of the order seen by The Wall Street Journal.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Under Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force has defined a highly effective strategy; corresponding operational concepts and technologies; and a new training regimen to ensure U.S. equities in space are secured.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Silversands Grand Anse Modern design and luxe amenities define Silversands Grand Anse, an intimate, upscale collection of 43 rooms and eight villas, complete with a spacious spa and spectacular dining.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But the latest launches prove the rules are meant to be broken, with new options for shimmery highlighters for ice queens, soft blushes in a range of textures and contours to sculpt your features.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The aforementioned suits also look properly dark while their cuts, contours, and textures are still visible.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Now is the time to make a plan, research options, stock up on supplies and sketch out your future work of art.
    Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The teen who loved Takis, playing basketball and sketching characters from Dragon Ball Z could sometimes be a challenge.
    Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outline. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on outline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!