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close-in

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adjective \ ˈklōs-ˈin \

Definition of close-in

1 :near a center of activity and especially a city
  • close-in suburbs
2 :occurring or designed for use within a narrowly limited area
  • close-in fighting
  • close-in weapons

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First Known Use of close-in

1945

close in

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verb \ ˈklōz- \

Definition of close in

transitive verb
1 :to encircle closely and isolate
2 :to enshroud to such an extent as to preclude entrance or exit
  • the airport was closed in by the storm
intransitive verb
1 :to gather in close all around with an oppressing or isolating effect
  • despair closed in on her
2 :to approach to close quarters especially for an attack, raid, or arrest
  • the police closed in
3 :to grow dark
  • the short November day was already closing in
  • —Ellen Glasgow

See close in defined for kids

Examples of close in in a Sentence

  1. the eagle closed in on its prey

  2. with evening closing in we knew we had to find shelter fairly soon

First Known Use of close in

14th century

close in Synonyms

Synonyms
belly up, close, approach, come up, draw on, near, nigh
Antonyms
back (up or away), recede, retire, retreat, withdraw
Related Words
arrive, attain, come, gain, hit, land, make, reach, show up, turn up, waltz up; creep up, sneak up; adjoin, border, touch, verge
Near Antonyms
clear out, depart, exit, go, leave, light out, pull out, quit, remove, run away, shove (off), take off, walk out

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Examples: close-in in a Sentence