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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of close call
The one-run loss was the Dodgers’ 13th in their past 19 close calls.
—
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
Honeywell started developing the SURF-A system in 2020 when the aviation industry noticed more close calls happening on runways.
—Asher Redd, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Tommy Fleetwood has yet to win on the PGA Tour in his career, despite several close calls.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
Fatal accidents, crash landings and close calls are part of North Perry’s history, with 41 major incidents in the past five years.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close call
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
Honeywell started developing the SURF-A system in 2020 when the aviation industry noticed more close calls happening on runways.
—Asher Redd, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Tommy Fleetwood has yet to win on the PGA Tour in his career, despite several close calls.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
Fatal accidents, crash landings and close calls are part of North Perry’s history, with 41 major incidents in the past five years.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 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
-
Meant to be used anywhere and everywhere, this delivers a smooth and close shave by reducing friction with allantoin and infusing skin with shea butter, glycerin and squalane for softness and moisture.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Close call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20call. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share