Examples of close call in a Sentence
We nearly didn't get out of the burning building. It was a pretty close call, let me tell you!
the doctor said I'd had a close call, and was lucky to be alive
Recent Examples on the Web
The nation’s air-traffic-control system faces increasing hazards from short staffing, outdated technology and chronic underfunding, according to a federal report that examined safety issues following a string of close calls at U.S. airports over the past year.
—
Andrew Tangel, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023
The report noted a deterioration of military communications between Beijing and Washington, despite a spate of close calls between U.S. and Chinese military aircraft over the South China Sea.
—Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023
The near miss follows a few similar incidents this year: In February, the Austin airport experienced another close call between a Southwest plane and a FedEx pilot, The Washington Post noted.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2023
With a surge in demand for travel this year, there have been several high-profile close calls and near misses across the country, totaling up to 670 reported through May to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Alexandra Skores, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023
As far as public debates go, this isn’t a close call.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 7 Nov. 2023
In the wake of this collision, various U.S. government agencies took on the responsibilities of space traffic control, tracking satellites and known large debris, alerting operators when a close call is coming.
—Jaime Green, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2023
The final political status was famously left open, and as a result the conflict remains unresolved and there have been harrowing recent close calls of resurgent conflict.
—Dahlia Scheindlin, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
Evansville Christian exhales after close call with South Knox
The Evansville Christian Eagles defeated the South Knox Spartans 2-1 in an Indiana boys soccer game on Tuesday.
—Indy Star Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Aug. 2023
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Andrew Tangel, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023
The report noted a deterioration of military communications between Beijing and Washington, despite a spate of close calls between U.S. and Chinese military aircraft over the South China Sea.
—Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023
The near miss follows a few similar incidents this year: In February, the Austin airport experienced another close call between a Southwest plane and a FedEx pilot, The Washington Post noted.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2023
With a surge in demand for travel this year, there have been several high-profile close calls and near misses across the country, totaling up to 670 reported through May to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Alexandra Skores, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023
As far as public debates go, this isn’t a close call.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 7 Nov. 2023
In the wake of this collision, various U.S. government agencies took on the responsibilities of space traffic control, tracking satellites and known large debris, alerting operators when a close call is coming.
—Jaime Green, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2023
The final political status was famously left open, and as a result the conflict remains unresolved and there have been harrowing recent close calls of resurgent conflict.
—Dahlia Scheindlin, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
Evansville Christian exhales after close call with South Knox
The Evansville Christian Eagles defeated the South Knox Spartans 2-1 in an Indiana boys soccer game on Tuesday.
—Indy Star Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'close call.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1881, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near close call
Cite this Entry
“Close call.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close%20call. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
close call
noun
: a narrow escape
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