Definition

Verb (transitive): 1. To be very close to or nearly the same as something, often something extreme or undesirable: To verge on or approach a particular state, quality, or condition. 2. To adjoin or be next to something: To share a border with; to lie adjacent to.

Usage and Examples

• The government's new policy borders on tyranny.
• Her dedication to her work borders on obsession.
• The estate's gardens border on a ancient forest.
• Such reckless behavior borders on insanity.

Advanced Usage

• "to border on the [adjective]": This structure is common, especially with adjectives describing extreme qualities.
  • His arrogance borders on the ridiculous.
  • Their generosity borders on the extravagant.

Variants and Related Words

• Border (n/v): The line separating two areas; to form a border along.
• Bordering (adj): Being adjacent to.
  • The bordering states have similar laws.

Synonyms

• Verge on: To be very close to.
• Approach: To come near to in quality or character.
• Resemble: To be similar to.
• Approximate: To come close to in nature or quality.

Phrasal Verbs

• Border on does not have common phrasal verb variants beyond its core meaning.

Related Idioms

• To be on the border/edge of: To be very close to experiencing something.
  • She was on the border of tears.
• (Strictly) speaking: Used to indicate that a statement is not accurate but is very close to the truth.
  • His actions were, strictly speaking, not illegal, but they bordered on fraud.

Verb

1. come near or verge on, resemble, come nearer in quality, or character
   • This borders on discrimination!
   • His playing approaches that of Horowitz