OUTLINE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

outline 1 of 2

verb

Definition of outline next

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

Kelce outlined a timetable for making a decision on his future. —

Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026 Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. —

Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Jan. 2026

Noun

One of my late friends, who was on the board of Intel, actually heard the outline of Jensen’s presentation and couldn’t believe how Andy railed against Jensen even as Jensen proved to be totally right and Andy totally wrong. —

Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026 The Cotton Frise Knit Zip-Up Jacket is a deep brown sweater-like jacket with patches of both brands’ iconic logos on the front, and the subtle outline of a horse embroidered on the back. —

Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outline

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outline

Verb

In October 2024, the lab firm used genealogical mapping, in which unidentified DNA is traced to relatives and ancestors to produce a more precise genetic profile and possible identity, to point to Contreras, according to the affidavit.

— Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
The restaurant traces its heritage to 1998, when commercial fishermen Shele and Harley Toftey opened Dockside Fish Market in 1998 to sell and cook their catch.

— Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026