as in narrow escape
a barely successful escape from something undesirable
the doctor said I'd had a close call, and was lucky to be alive
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Recent Examples of close call
But instead of prompting an argument — as can happen between surfers competing for waves — the close call brought the wave riders together.
—
Laylan Connelly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2025
Controllers at the airport have been under scrutiny since the airport was the site of a January 29 deadly collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet that killed 67 people and a subsequent series of close calls.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
And the only other close call was Cliff Lee, who merely tied his career high in Game 3 of the 2010 ALCS, with a 13-strikeout gem in Yankee Stadium.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Ryall noted that among this year’s choices there were a number of close calls.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close call
Laylan Connelly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2025
Controllers at the airport have been under scrutiny since the airport was the site of a January 29 deadly collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet that killed 67 people and a subsequent series of close calls.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
And the only other close call was Cliff Lee, who merely tied his career high in Game 3 of the 2010 ALCS, with a 13-strikeout gem in Yankee Stadium.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Ryall noted that among this year’s choices there were a number of close calls.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close call
close shave
Noun
-
Our favorites helped our razors glide smoothly across the skin for an ultra-close shave, while aloe vera and almond oil soothed, hydrated, and enhanced the skin’s appearance — mitigating irritation.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Washington’s depth saved it from a close shave Sunday.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Close call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20call. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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