hairbreadth

noun

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hair·breadth | \ ˈher-ˌbretth

, -ˌbreth, -ˌbredth \

variants: or hairsbreadth \ ˈherz-ˌbretth

, -ˌbreth , -ˌbredth \

Definition of hairbreadth

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a very small distance or margin

hairbreadth

adjective

Definition of hairbreadth (Entry 2 of 2)

: very narrow : close a hairbreadth escape

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About hairbreadth

Examples of hairbreadth in a Sentence

Noun just missed the bull's-eye by a hairbreadth Adjective a hairbreadth victory, but a victory nevertheless

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Should the electoral officials’ math hold up, the hairbreadth victory is likely to provide only limited comfort to Mr. del Mazo’s party. — Kirk Semple And Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017 The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map. — Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders. — Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021 Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020 The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences. — Author: Alexander Burns And Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hairbreadth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.