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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of near
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025
The victim was shot in his right arm near Riverdale Ave.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
President Trump's most recent travel ban may face legal challenges in the near future, but some hoping to travel to the United States soon may not be able to wait for the courts to step in.
—Mansee Khurana, NPR, 16 June 2025
Evan Clark, Footwear News, 11 June 2025
Monday evening 6/2: A non-tropical area of low pressure is forecast to form near or offshore of the southeastern U.S. coast within the next 2 to 3 days.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
As the restart neared, crews were all over the course to push standing water off the fairways and attempt to keep the bunkers from flooding.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
Several oil refineries were hit, including facilities near Drohobych, in Lviv Oblast, and Kremenchuk, in Poltava Oblast.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025
The victim was shot in his right arm near Riverdale Ave.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
Adjective
And the ever-present potential of an injury means that the logjam could clear itself in the near future.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
President Trump's most recent travel ban may face legal challenges in the near future, but some hoping to travel to the United States soon may not be able to wait for the courts to step in.
—Mansee Khurana, NPR, 16 June 2025
Adverb
If those numbers are anywhere near right, there’s still plenty of space for Stitch Fix — the once ultra-buzzy digital darling that is still promising to change retail.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 11 June 2025
Monday evening 6/2: A non-tropical area of low pressure is forecast to form near or offshore of the southeastern U.S. coast within the next 2 to 3 days.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Verb
Israel launched its largest-ever air campaign against Iran on Friday, claiming Tehran was nearing the development of a nuclear weapon.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
As the restart neared, crews were all over the course to push standing water off the fairways and attempt to keep the bunkers from flooding.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
Read More: Xi Shows No Sign of Rescuing Iran as Trump Ramps Up Pressure Iran’s ability to react may be limited by its economic weakness, with inflation running at around 40%.—
Sara Braun,
Fortune,
22 June 2025
-
Benjamin Kelly, 37, was found in a cell in medical distress by an officer around 3 p.m. at the Eric M. Taylor Center on Rikers Island.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
The tough spot the Mets find themselves in now is relative, as a look across the diamond would reveal.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
At the Wednesday press conference, Powell underscored the relative strength of the economy, citing solid labor market conditions including the 4.2% unemployment rate, a low inflation rate and improvements in business and consumer sentiment.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
The hatch falls open with a bang that has Dina on high alert, but not a living (or semi-living) soul emerges.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
5 May 2025
-
This is a living example of how businesses can harness AI and microgrids to increase operational efficiency, support sustainability goals and better prepare for energy volatility.—
Frederic Godemel,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
The championship is Oklahoma City’s first since relocating from Seattle in 2008; for the Pacers, close wasn’t good enough for their second straight season with a strong playoff run before falling to the eventual NBA champs.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
Some of my friends sent them a gift, knowing why they were not invited but three of my close friends didn’t send anything (even a card would have been thoughtful).—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
This incremental model allows firms to evolve while maintaining familiar strategies.—
Seth Price,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
Pritzker and Emanuel are nationally familiar names.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Adverb
-
Optional straight blades suitable for overgrown grass over 6in after long vacations.—
Anthony Karcz,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Silva, who reportedly then walked out of Walmart over to the car the children were in, was immediately arrested by police.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
Adverb
-
Revenue for Goto’s financial services unit almost doubled last year, reaching 3.7 trillion Indonesian rupiah ($230 million).—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune,
22 June 2025
-
Tolman has been with him at almost every appointment and procedure.—
Bella Waters,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2025
Adverb
-
Iran’s roughly two million barrels per day of exports pale in comparison to the approximately three million barrels per day of spare capacity possessed by Saudi Arabia alone, not to mention spare capacity within other OPEC+ countries as well as the U.S., now the world’s single largest oil producer.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
22 June 2025
-
Iran has indiscriminately launched approximately 400 ballistic missiles at Israel, zeroing in on population centers in Tel Aviv and Haifa.—
Steven Katz,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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