Phrase guide

border on

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To share a border with.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The town borders on the forest, so there are often deer on the road.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be almost like some other thing; to verge on.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, transitive

Examples

  • His behaviour borders on insanity.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

come near or verge on, resemble, come nearer in quality, or character

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This borders on discrimination!
  • His playing approaches that of Horowitz

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: approach

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: approximate, come close

Narrower terms: converge

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: grenzen aan — be almost like some other thing
  • Finnish: lähestyä — be almost like some other thing
  • Finnish: hipoa — be almost like some other thing
  • German: an grenzen (etwas) — be almost like some other thing
  • Italian: rasentare — be almost like some other thing
  • Italian: essere al limite di — be almost like some other thing
  • Portuguese: beirar — be almost like some other thing
  • Russian: грани́чить с (graníčitʹ s) — be almost like some other thing
  • Russian: находиться на грани (naxoditʹsja na grani) — be almost like some other thing
  • Swedish: gränsa till — be almost like some other thing