1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
a
: almost but not quite
nearly identical
nearly a year later
b
: to the least extent
not nearly as good as we expected
Examples of nearly in a Sentence
I see her nearly every day.
We lived there for nearly two years.
Nearly all of us got sick that weekend.
Recent Examples on the Web
Grant asks Chris about the boxing gloves now for sale in the night store, but Katie forestalls him by running over and grabbing them, nearly flattening Chris.
—
Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
The White House’s Freedom 250 UFC fight may be firmly in the rearview mirror, but fans can still get their hands on a commemorative coin priced at nearly $12,000.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Miami Gardens felt like Montevideo on Monday as a sea of Uruguayan soccer fans, many with giant blue and white striped flags draped over their shoulders, nearly packed Hard Rock Stadium and had to settle for a 1-1 tie against Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opening match.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
The golden mussel is tiny but mighty, multiplying fast and nearly impossible to get rid of.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nearly
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Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
The White House’s Freedom 250 UFC fight may be firmly in the rearview mirror, but fans can still get their hands on a commemorative coin priced at nearly $12,000.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Miami Gardens felt like Montevideo on Monday as a sea of Uruguayan soccer fans, many with giant blue and white striped flags draped over their shoulders, nearly packed Hard Rock Stadium and had to settle for a 1-1 tie against Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opening match.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
The golden mussel is tiny but mighty, multiplying fast and nearly impossible to get rid of.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Cite this Entry
“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nearly. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nearly
adverb
near·ly
ˈni(ə)r-lē 
1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
: almost but not quite
nearly the same
nearly missed the train
3
: to the least extent
not nearly enough
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