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
At Calder Gardens, art, architecture, and horticulture achieve a well-nigh perfect equilibrium.
—
Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025
The journey along the Gemini, which measured only 18 feet and five inches from bow to stern, proved to be well-nigh impossible.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
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
Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025
The journey along the Gemini, which measured only 18 feet and five inches from bow to stern, proved to be well-nigh impossible.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well-nigh
Adverb
-
The problem is that such inferences are often wildly speculative and will almost certainly lead to false convictions or arrests.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Hungary has a population of almost 10 million, a fraction of the bloc's 450 million people.—
LORNE COOK,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Weber, who lives in Denver and does marketing work for both Waddle and Surtain, practically jumped for joy at the news.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Today, that’s practically what Carmichael is serving up at Kabawa in the East Village.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Rather, nearly every musician for the musical is located in a different room away from the stage itself.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The game shifted back to Miami during that run, Gates said, while the Hurricanes ended the second half shooting nearly 60% from the field.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The Strait of Hormuz was handling about 20% of global seaborne oil supplies until the war broke out, before Iran virtually stopped flows via the critical waterway.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Most other agencies have moved online since the COVID pandemic, asking actors to submit material virtually; others only allow open intros once a week.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Well-nigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well-nigh. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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