1
2
as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
the incessant busyness of the family next-door makes us look like we live in near retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in living
closely resembling the object imitated
the dress is made from a near silk that would fool anyone but an expert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
not being distant in time, space, or significance
the famous prediction that in the near future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in familiar
closely acquainted
only her nearest friends know she's pregnant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time
as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire as summer draws near, we usually start planning our annual vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in almost
very close to but not completely
it's near six o'clock, so we should start preparing dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in approximately
close to but not exactly
it takes somewhere near an hour to get there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to close
to come near or nearer
as the procession nears, you'll be able to take a better picture of the graduates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of near
Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
In September, federal agents dismantled a covert network near the United Nations in New York that contained more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards, according to the Secret Service.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
The two companies announced Tuesday that, in the near future, ChatGPT users will soon be able to use ChatGPT’s Instant Checkout feature—launched late last month—to purchase items from Walmart’s site.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
That means Zaha will be suspended for Game 1 of the playoffs against NYCFC, which tainted an otherwise near-perfect evening for the home team.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Much of the state north and west of that line is nearing, at or even beyond peak fall color.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
First, a late substitution forced Napier to burn a timeout near the red zone just before the play clock ran out.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
In September, federal agents dismantled a covert network near the United Nations in New York that contained more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards, according to the Secret Service.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
The two companies announced Tuesday that, in the near future, ChatGPT users will soon be able to use ChatGPT’s Instant Checkout feature—launched late last month—to purchase items from Walmart’s site.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Adverb
As a result, researchers recommend Rhabdophis angeli be listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
That means Zaha will be suspended for Game 1 of the playoffs against NYCFC, which tainted an otherwise near-perfect evening for the home team.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
Bills come due, eventually, in every sense, though reported name, image and likeness earnings nearing $2 million at Utah are a nice buffer.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Much of the state north and west of that line is nearing, at or even beyond peak fall color.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
The Broncos put that streak in jeopardy first when Nix sandwiched a touchdown run and a short scoring pass to rookie running back RJ Harvey around a Justin Strnad interception.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Soros is also an investor in Vice, which has quietly been slightly rebuilding its news output around founder Shane Smith’s podcast.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As freshmen, Rose, Chico, and Tupac were relative unknowns.—
Jeff Pearlman,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
-
VantageScore found that, in relative terms, monthly car payments are increasing faster than mortgage payments.—
Miguel Ambriz,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the first 10 months of his presidency, Israel saw multiple rounds of hostage releases, culminating in Monday's release of the last 20 living hostages.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Additionally, its length can be increased up to a maximum of 34 ft (10 m), for those who like the basic design but require more living space.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Royal expert and author Christopher Andersen said Princess Anne, who has been a close confidant and advisor to her brother Charles for a while, was likely involved in the decision.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Let’s take a closer look at the best mowing height and timing to prepare your lawn for the cold ahead.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But after the offense scored just one goal against Uxbridge, Quinn and the coaching staff made the move to push Schneider – one of the Porkers’ best finishers – back up to her familiar center-forward position against Canton, along with a couple of other changes.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Which means the vagaries of late October are pretty familiar for this franchise and the bulk of these players.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
So grab a plate, settle in, and let these films take you back to the yard—where the music never stops, the bonds run deep, and every Homecoming feels like family coming home again.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
16 Oct. 2025
-
As long as sports remains the straw that stirs TV’s drink, the ad dollars will continue to roll right in.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The scientific case for exploration dates back many millions of years to continental drift when Greenland was believed to be closely connected to Norway and the British Isles.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
After the Supreme Court ruling, Holt said, the department changed its grooming policy to allow closely cropped beards.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The Dancing With the Stars judging panel almost got through Wicked night without flying off the handle.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In September, a 130-unit building in Chicago’s South Shore was raided, with almost every one of the building’s residents — even children — being detained.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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