as in almost
very close to but not completely
it was well-nigh dark, but I could still see a little
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Recent Examples of well-nigh
Right now, though, a coherent A.I. policy seems well-nigh inconceivable.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
In my book, Peter Seidler was a model citizen, a well-nigh heroic one.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
In my book, Peter Seidler was a model citizen, a well-nigh heroic one.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well-nigh
Adverb
-
Cuomo’s desperate campaign — almost certainly his last — tried to knit together a coalition of Republicans, independents, and Democrats worried that a socialist mayor would wreck their city and their party.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Filler shots of chauffeurs, champagne and colossal walk-in closets with pristine designer clobber glistening and gleaming from glass shelves centred around trays and trays of priceless jewels assault the viewer’s senses between almost every scene.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
But the man who caught her eye in the end was practically a stranger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
While other Super Tuscans are practically household names among wine collectors, Ca’Marcanda’s flagship blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Camarcanda (without the apostrophe), seems to fly under the radar.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
2 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam, visited North Korea in early October — the first such trip in nearly two decades — while reports suggest Hanoi may pursue the purchase of 40 Russian Su-35 fighter jets.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Though the Maldives is the first country to enact such a ban, similar proposals have been debated – and nearly imposed – in other parts of the world.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Curtis and Kirk were indeed to be found on opposite ends of virtually every hot-button cultural issue on which the latter made his name as a debater and provocateur.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
While the answers varied, virtually all agree the 50-year-old, relatively unchanged program needs some modernization and improvement.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Well-nigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well-nigh. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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