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
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Recent Examples of borderline
Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
For those of us of a certain age, the news of LaBeouf popping up at a random bar in a random city and wreaking havoc is borderline old-fashioned.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
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
Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 20 Apr. 2026
The court also heard that Logan has since been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, mood disorder, and borderline learning disability.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for borderline
Adjective
This will be a borderline plowable situation.
—Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
For those of us of a certain age, the news of LaBeouf popping up at a random bar in a random city and wreaking havoc is borderline old-fashioned.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Feb. 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
But The Pitt’s woes are part of a larger wave sweeping fandoms across many mediums and genres, in which relationships that used to be pleasantly parasocial have become borderline disturbing.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 20 Apr. 2026
The court also heard that Logan has since been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, mood disorder, and borderline learning disability.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 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
Adverb
-
Since May 1996, a group of neighbors has met almost every month to talk about books.—
Maggie Penman,
Washington Post,
1 May 2026
-
The World Bank estimated that an extended disruption could drive energy prices up by almost a quarter compared to 2025; the strait cannot quickly be replaced, Morningstar analysts warned in a note to clients.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On the eastern edge of the state, Sioux Falls is best known for Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River spills over wide stretches of pink quartzite rock.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These are not marginal improvements.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The year was 1976 and Thin Lizzy — still a marginal band, at best, in America — was putting the finishing touches on Jailbreak, a make-or-break album for their label.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Tim Kleindienst has missed practically the entire season because of a recurring knee injury, meaning that even if the 30-year-old were to return in the final few games, the World Cup seems a long shot.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But following elite competition is nearly impossible, with subtle flicks and jabs practically invisible to the naked eye—and competitors hidden behind masks.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That came two days before the real WHCD on April 25 was thrown into chaos after an armed man charged through a security perimeter outside the ballroom before he was apprehended.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Working with local police, the Secret Service conducted site reviews of the sprawling complex and established a security perimeter to prevent suspicious individuals from approaching the president and other VIP attendees.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Meanwhile, Austin Barber, who started 47 games at tackle for the Gators, nearly had to wait until Saturday.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Philadelphia scored on seven consecutive late-game possessions, nearly all of them on plays at or near the rim.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The designation East Palestine may have come from its location in far east Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border, in Appalachia.—
Mary Norris,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
The 400-acre Carowinds amusement park straddles the North Carolina and South Carolina border in Charlotte and Fort Mill.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Borderline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borderline. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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