border on
verb
bordered on; bordering on; borders on
1
: to have a border on (something) : to lie on a boundary of (something)
The area my ancestors come from borders on the Atacama Desert.
2
: to be very like (something) : to come very close to being (something)
The play's dialog borders on the ridiculous.
an enthusiasm bordering on fanaticism
Examples of border on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Spread with butter and sprinkle with filling, leaving a 1/2-inch border on one long side; pat gently.
—
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 July 2026
Reuters — Drones and artillery killed civilians on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine border on Saturday, local officials said.
—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
The cult of Costco Even in a world where supermarkets can stir a frenzy, Costco fans border on the obsessive.
—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Espresso is thicker, creamier, and has a velvety mouthfeel that almost borders on syrupy.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for border on
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Better Homes & Gardens,
4 July 2026
Reuters — Drones and artillery killed civilians on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine border on Saturday, local officials said.
—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
The cult of Costco Even in a world where supermarkets can stir a frenzy, Costco fans border on the obsessive.
—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Espresso is thicker, creamier, and has a velvety mouthfeel that almost borders on syrupy.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for border on
Cite this Entry
“Border on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/border%20on. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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