bordering on

ADJECTIVE

adjoining

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adjacent contiguous neighboring

STRONG

abutting connecting impinging interconnecting joined joining juxtaposed near touching verging

WEAK

approximal conterminous coterminous next door

Antonyms

WEAK

detached divided separate

ADVERB

almost

Synonyms

STRONGEST

about approximately around essentially most much practically relatively roughly virtually

STRONG

nigh well-nigh

WEAK

about to all but as good as close to close upon for all practical purposes for the greatest part in effect in the neighborhood of in the vicinity of just about near to not far from not quite on the brink of on the edge of on the point of on the verge of pretty near substantially within sight of

ADVERB

approximately

Synonyms

STRONGEST

almost generally relatively roughly

STRONG

about around

WEAK

ballpark figure circa close to closely comparatively in the ballpark in the neighborhood of in the region of in the vicinity of just about loosely more or less most much not far from not quite proximately upwards of very close

Antonyms

WEAK

accurately clearly definitely exactly precisely

ADVERB

beside

Synonyms

WEAK

a step from abreast of adjacent to adjoining alongside aside at one's elbow at the edge of at the side of by cheek by jowl close at hand close to close upon connected with contiguous to fornent in juxtaposition near nearby neck and neck neighboring next door to nigh opposite overlooking round side by side verging on with

ADVERB

more or less

Synonyms

WEAK

about almost around ballpark figure circa close to in the ballpark in the neighborhood of in the vicinity of just about not far from not quite on average relatively roughly thereabouts very close

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In an era dominated by low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds, Danoff managed to stand out by consistently beating the market—a feat modern academic research suggests is exceedingly rare, bordering on the impossible.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

Reaching the fourth round is rarer still, and the quarter-finals would be bordering on a fairytale.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

These recent readings represent not just extreme optimism but are bordering on irrational exuberance.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 2, 2025

He also assumes that Robin will jump at the chance of joining him on a binge of tourist spots, a notion Robin dismisses with disbelief bordering on disgust.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

I was mightily relieved that she hadn’t won; she was bordering on unbearable as it was.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

bordering on

Example Sentences

Related Words