1
as in traces
to draw or make apparent the outline of
she carefully outlined the tree before she started drawing in the leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in summarizes
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
1
as in contours
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
2
as in summaries
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outlines
Angelica Ang, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Four physicians working in addiction medicine published an American Journal of Public Health editorial that outlines strategies for getting medication to people in recovery during natural disasters.
—Andrew Jones, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Here, Steelman outlines her superpowers, her trajectory and her inspirations.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
The document that guides future care A letter of intent is a non-legal document that outlines a parent’s wishes, routines and guidance for future caregivers and trustees of a child with special needs.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
The bill builds off the Connecticut Data Privacy Act, a 2023 law that outlines consumer data rights and the responsibilities of groups that collect online data.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
The map also outlines a new maritime buffer zone that conflicts with the borders that the two countries agreed on with the United States in 2022.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
The proposal also outlines enforcement, starting with warnings before potential fines or jail time.
—Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The national institute outlines 10 quality benchmarks for preschools, related to teacher training, class size and curriculum.
—Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The just unsealed autopsy outlines what LAPD cops, medical examiners and others saw when the trunk was opened.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
The outlines of an agreement began to emerge Friday that would provide Iran with a major strategic victory.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
While the broad outlines are fairly clear, dogma should be avoided when dealing with the various types of gladiators.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Gulf sovereign wealth funds maintained their pace of investments in the first quarter, despite nearly a third of the period taking place during the war, according to data by consultancy Global SWF first seen by Semafor, but the outlines of their strategy going forward is far murkier.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Story details for the second season are being kept quiet, though it’s expected the show will follow the broad outlines of season one, where Glover and Erskine’s characters were hired by a mysterious spy agency to take on new identities and carry out missions around the world.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Carthage is also known for the historic 1939 Boots Court, a Streamline Moderne-style building that glows with neon outlines at night.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Members of the group assigned themselves various social studies courses to rework with just one week to complete the detailed outlines of dates, events and names that should be taught.
—Isaac Yu, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
Malaysia has highlighted the blue economy as a priority area in its most recent economic plan, which outlines the nation’s policy objectives through 2030.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Four physicians working in addiction medicine published an American Journal of Public Health editorial that outlines strategies for getting medication to people in recovery during natural disasters.
—Andrew Jones, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Here, Steelman outlines her superpowers, her trajectory and her inspirations.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
The document that guides future care A letter of intent is a non-legal document that outlines a parent’s wishes, routines and guidance for future caregivers and trustees of a child with special needs.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
The bill builds off the Connecticut Data Privacy Act, a 2023 law that outlines consumer data rights and the responsibilities of groups that collect online data.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
The map also outlines a new maritime buffer zone that conflicts with the borders that the two countries agreed on with the United States in 2022.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
The proposal also outlines enforcement, starting with warnings before potential fines or jail time.
—Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The national institute outlines 10 quality benchmarks for preschools, related to teacher training, class size and curriculum.
—Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
Plus, the minimalist heart outlines are dainty looking and would be a perfect choice for your wife or mom to wear every day.
—Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The just unsealed autopsy outlines what LAPD cops, medical examiners and others saw when the trunk was opened.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
The outlines of an agreement began to emerge Friday that would provide Iran with a major strategic victory.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
While the broad outlines are fairly clear, dogma should be avoided when dealing with the various types of gladiators.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Gulf sovereign wealth funds maintained their pace of investments in the first quarter, despite nearly a third of the period taking place during the war, according to data by consultancy Global SWF first seen by Semafor, but the outlines of their strategy going forward is far murkier.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Story details for the second season are being kept quiet, though it’s expected the show will follow the broad outlines of season one, where Glover and Erskine’s characters were hired by a mysterious spy agency to take on new identities and carry out missions around the world.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Carthage is also known for the historic 1939 Boots Court, a Streamline Moderne-style building that glows with neon outlines at night.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Members of the group assigned themselves various social studies courses to rework with just one week to complete the detailed outlines of dates, events and names that should be taught.
—Isaac Yu, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlines
Verb
-
This madness traces straight back to Khan’s war on companies — from soda bottlers to tech giants and even Uber-Lyft driver pay deals.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Powell traditionally appears at a news conference after each FOMC meeting wraps up and summarizes the panel's views on the state of the economy — an event that is closely watched by markets.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
One such company is Blueprint, an AI assistant that summarizes sessions, updates electronic health records, and helps individual therapists track patient progress.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The whites of lights and balloons popped, and black suits seemed extremely dark while clearly retaining their cuts and contours.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now, those day cares are required to publicly post their child care performance summaries, which are recaps of any inspections from the last year.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Long recordings can be condensed into short, readable summaries that highlight key points and action items.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What defines Canneseries today?—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Long hours remain one of the biggest and most measurable culprits, with the report saying 35% of workers globally work more than 48 hours a week—occupational-health research often defines long working hours as 55 hours or more a week.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The meeting between the two dignitaries will won’t include a livestreamed news conference like those the president has hosted with other international figures.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The large monetary figures Ingoglia unveiled during each news conference came from analyses conducted by the state’s Department of Governmental Efficiency team, or DOGE, which had requested budget information from and visited many municipalities across the state.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The shapes don’t have to be uniform.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Shop the rug in three colors and in a variety of round, rectangular, and runner shapes.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sandy birch suits relaxed silhouettes and grounds bolder colors.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The silhouettes are relaxed but refined, often with a higher waist and fluid drape.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outlines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlines. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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