close/tight finish

noun

: an end of a race or contest in which the winner is ahead by a very small amount
The race had a close/tight finish.

Examples of close/tight finish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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. Send us feedback.
Jim Hines wins the first semifinal in a tight finish with Ronny Ray Smith, becoming the first man to break the 10-second barrier. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 In the Kentucky Derby, the first Triple Crown race of the season, fans were treated to quite a tight finish. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025 Richard Childress Racing's Austin Hill took the win at Talladega Superspeedway today after a close finish. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 Employing Pitino’s signature full-court press, St. John’s was able to muck up the game to set up a close finish. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for close/tight finish

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Close/tight finish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close%2Ftight%20finish. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!