borderline
On the edge
Borderline marks the boundary between two conditions or categories, often implying uncertainty about which side something falls on.
A borderline case could go either way.
Borderline acceptable means barely acceptable, hovering at the threshold.
In psychiatry, borderline personality disorder is a specific diagnosis involving emotional instability and impulsive behavior—but casual use of borderline simply means on the edge: His behavior was borderline obsessive.
Line marking a limit
demarcation · threshold · precipice · frontier · interface · juncture · marker · cut-off
Not easily understood
- indeterminateNot exactly known
- equivocalUncertain in meaning
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
- nebulousUnclear and formless
vague · fuzzy · uncertain · doubtful · questionable · inconclusive · debatable · disputable
Enduring dysfunctional behavioral patterns
- emotional dysregulationPoor control over feelings
- splittingDividing into parts
- unstableProne to sudden change
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
fear of abandonment · dialectical · attachment · mood swings · self-image · interpersonal · dissociation · emotional intensity
External computer add-on
- fringeOutermost edge or margin
- secondaryLesser in rank
- minimalSmallest amount needed
- negligibleToo small to consider
minor · questionable · touch-and-go · passable · acceptable · scraping by · just enough · bare minimum
boundary
Line marking a limit
cusp · demarcation · threshold · precipice · frontier · interface · juncture · marker · cut-off · tipping point
unclear
Not easily understood
- indeterminateNot exactly known
- equivocalUncertain in meaning
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
nebulous · vague · fuzzy · uncertain · doubtful · questionable · inconclusive · debatable · disputable · arguable
personality disorder
Enduring dysfunctional behavioral patterns
- emotional dysregulationPoor control over feelings
- splittingDividing into parts
- unstableProne to sudden change
impulsive · fear of abandonment · dialectical · attachment · mood swings · self-image · interpersonal · dissociation · emotional intensity
peripheral
External computer add-on
negligible · minor · questionable · touch-and-go · passable · acceptable · scraping by · just enough · bare minimum · iffy
- linesdotted, dashed, curved, straight, wavy
- boundariesboundary, edges, edge, limits, limit
- blood sugarblood sugar, blood glucose, glucose, glucose level, high blood sugar
- medical resultspositive, negative, normal, abnormal, inconclusive
- Mental Disordersschizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD
- mental illnessschizophrenia, mental illness, psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression
borderlinedefinite
Clearly established, not vague
certain · clear-cut · definitive · clear · unambiguous
borderlinecompletely
To the fullest extent
fully · thoroughly · entirely · utterly · absolutely