: close to
beaches near the city
seemed to be near death
1
a
: not far distant in time, place, or degree
in the near future
b
: almost happening : narrowly missed or avoided
a near win in the primary
a near midair collision
c
: nearly not happening
a near escape
2
: closely related or intimately associated
her nearest and dearest friend
3
a
: being the closer of two
the near side
b
: being the left-hand one of a pair
the near wheel of a cart
5
6
a
: closely resembling the standard or typical
a near desert
b
: approximating the genuine
near silk
nearness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of near in a Sentence
Adverb
The plant was near dead when I got it.
as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire
Preposition
I left the box near the door.
The cat won't go near fire.
There are several beaches near here.
She came home near midnight.
We feared he was near death.
Adjective
The nearest grocery store is three blocks away.
The near side headlight is out.
Verb
As the date of the performance neared, we grew more and more anxious.
He always cheers up when baseball season nears.
The airplane began to descend as it neared the island.
He must be nearing 80 years of age.
The negotiators were nearing a decision.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Xander Peters, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Sep. 2023
Comet Nishimura, named after the amateur astronomer who first photographed it about a month ago, will pass nearest to Earth on Tuesday before reaching its closest distance to the sun on September 17.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
People have been more focused on fire suppression because of dramatic events, near and far.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2023
With a relatively dry air mass in place, temperatures should fall quickly with sunset and down to near 60 or the mid-50s for lows.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023
After landfall, Idalia was expected to turn toward the northeast and east-northeast, moving near or along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina later Wednesday and Thursday.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
Despite employee unhappiness with the mandate, the e-commerce behemoth is pushing its hybrid work schedule, including reportedly telling employees to relocate nearer to the company’s head offices.
—Bynicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023
The two main islet groups are the Spratly Islands—the eastern grouping nearest to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei—and the Paracel Islands, northwest of the Spratlys and closer to Vietnam, China, and Taiwan.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 28 Aug. 2023
Yet these same physicians struggle to recommend against resuscitation, despite knowing that death is certain and near.
—Sunita Puri, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2023
Caroline Silva, ajc, 14 Sep. 2023
Mohave County Sheriff's officials said remains of a man between 30 and 40 years old were discovered near Kingman in January 1996.
—CBS News, 13 Sep. 2023
The Ocean Explorer became stranded near Alpefjord in the Northeast Greenland National Park on Monday, reported NBC News.
—Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
There will be a small warm-up Saturday, with sunshine and a high temperature near 72 degrees.
—Jane Morice | Jmorice@cleveland.com, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023
Hernandez-Medina allegedly grabbed a large piece of glass near the kitchen floor, but officers managed to safely get her in handcuffs and escort her from the building.
—BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023
In this case, two F-16 fighter jets based at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks were sent to Anchorage to intercept the Super Cub.
—Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2023
Christopher Ivy Bates was last seen around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday near Baldwin County Road 8, according to Gulf Shores police.
—Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
The area of the incident is primarily residential and just south of Old Norcross Road and near I-85.
—Caroline Silva, ajc, 1 Sep. 2023
Nick Parker, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
That's ironic considering the island is known for its beaches, and this busy, sprawling town full of yoga studios, vegan cafes, shops, spas, and markets is a 30-minute motorbike ride from the nearest stretch of sand.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2023
Petty scored on another corner kick that deflected off a Spalding defender at the near post.
—Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2023
The incident is a near copycat of what happened last month, when McConnell appeared to simply have shut down in the middle of a press conference at the Capitol.
—Ella Sherman, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
Customers can check the Circle K Day map to find their nearest location.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
San Diego Gas & Electric said power outages are a near certainty during the storm, which is forecast to bring winds over 50 mph — and those outages could be relatively long-lasting, because heavy winds will ground the helicopters typically used to assess damage.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2023
His nearest challengers are Alex Fitzpatrick (67) and Wilco Nienaber (63), with Adrian Otageui (66) a stroke further back.
—Associated Press, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
Despite the near two-month gap between the original and rescheduled games, MLS will honor all tickets purchased for Sunday as access to the October game.
—Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 19 Aug. 2023
Aarón Torres, Dallas News, 13 Sep. 2023
Related Drug overdose deaths in N.H. rose 11 percent in 2022, nearing decade highFatal R.I. overdoses remained high in 2022.
—David Ovalle, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
When Ana Lavi neared the gates of her village in southern Israel late one night in July, a small group of men appeared in the road, surrounded her car and blocked its path.
—Patrick Kingsley Moises Saman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2023
The groundwater in aquifers is declining, and some reservoirs are nearing alarmingly low levels.
—WIRED, 9 Sep. 2023
Along the way, there are logistics to handle: a Do Not Resuscitate form, comings and goings of caretakers, the obituary — the business of a life nearing its end.
—Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2023
Hollywood’s head honchos have been betting otherwise, which is why the work stoppage resulting from the writers and actors strike is nearing sixth months.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023
WestRock is nearing a deal to merge with Europe’s Smurfit Kappa in a move that would create a global paper and packaging powerhouse worth some $20 billion.
—Laura Cooper, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2023
Dozens of clips of the brawl have been posted on social media, with one on YouTube nearing 200,000 views.
—Justin Vellucci The Tribune-Review, al, 6 Sep. 2023
See More
Adverb
The Residents of Gordon Plaza community action group is inching nearer to the eventual housing relocation.
—Xander Peters, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Sep. 2023
Comet Nishimura, named after the amateur astronomer who first photographed it about a month ago, will pass nearest to Earth on Tuesday before reaching its closest distance to the sun on September 17.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
People have been more focused on fire suppression because of dramatic events, near and far.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2023
With a relatively dry air mass in place, temperatures should fall quickly with sunset and down to near 60 or the mid-50s for lows.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023
After landfall, Idalia was expected to turn toward the northeast and east-northeast, moving near or along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina later Wednesday and Thursday.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023
Despite employee unhappiness with the mandate, the e-commerce behemoth is pushing its hybrid work schedule, including reportedly telling employees to relocate nearer to the company’s head offices.
—Bynicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023
The two main islet groups are the Spratly Islands—the eastern grouping nearest to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei—and the Paracel Islands, northwest of the Spratlys and closer to Vietnam, China, and Taiwan.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 28 Aug. 2023
Yet these same physicians struggle to recommend against resuscitation, despite knowing that death is certain and near.
—Sunita Puri, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2023
Preposition
The truck tipped over on the Perimeter near Northside Drive around 6:10 p.m., according to the ...
—Caroline Silva, ajc, 14 Sep. 2023
Mohave County Sheriff's officials said remains of a man between 30 and 40 years old were discovered near Kingman in January 1996.
—CBS News, 13 Sep. 2023
The Ocean Explorer became stranded near Alpefjord in the Northeast Greenland National Park on Monday, reported NBC News.
—Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
There will be a small warm-up Saturday, with sunshine and a high temperature near 72 degrees.
—Jane Morice | Jmorice@cleveland.com, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023
Hernandez-Medina allegedly grabbed a large piece of glass near the kitchen floor, but officers managed to safely get her in handcuffs and escort her from the building.
—BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023
In this case, two F-16 fighter jets based at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks were sent to Anchorage to intercept the Super Cub.
—Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2023
Christopher Ivy Bates was last seen around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday near Baldwin County Road 8, according to Gulf Shores police.
—Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
The area of the incident is primarily residential and just south of Old Norcross Road and near I-85.
—Caroline Silva, ajc, 1 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces were continuing to make progress in their counteroffensive after weeks of a near stalemate that had sparked concern among Kyiv’s supporters.
—Nick Parker, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
That's ironic considering the island is known for its beaches, and this busy, sprawling town full of yoga studios, vegan cafes, shops, spas, and markets is a 30-minute motorbike ride from the nearest stretch of sand.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2023
Petty scored on another corner kick that deflected off a Spalding defender at the near post.
—Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2023
The incident is a near copycat of what happened last month, when McConnell appeared to simply have shut down in the middle of a press conference at the Capitol.
—Ella Sherman, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
Customers can check the Circle K Day map to find their nearest location.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
San Diego Gas & Electric said power outages are a near certainty during the storm, which is forecast to bring winds over 50 mph — and those outages could be relatively long-lasting, because heavy winds will ground the helicopters typically used to assess damage.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2023
His nearest challengers are Alex Fitzpatrick (67) and Wilco Nienaber (63), with Adrian Otageui (66) a stroke further back.
—Associated Press, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
Despite the near two-month gap between the original and rescheduled games, MLS will honor all tickets purchased for Sunday as access to the October game.
—Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 19 Aug. 2023
Verb
Paxton’s historic impeachment trial is nearing its end as the case should soon be in front of the jury.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas News, 13 Sep. 2023
Related Drug overdose deaths in N.H. rose 11 percent in 2022, nearing decade highFatal R.I. overdoses remained high in 2022.
—David Ovalle, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
When Ana Lavi neared the gates of her village in southern Israel late one night in July, a small group of men appeared in the road, surrounded her car and blocked its path.
—Patrick Kingsley Moises Saman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2023
The groundwater in aquifers is declining, and some reservoirs are nearing alarmingly low levels.
—WIRED, 9 Sep. 2023
Along the way, there are logistics to handle: a Do Not Resuscitate form, comings and goings of caretakers, the obituary — the business of a life nearing its end.
—Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2023
Hollywood’s head honchos have been betting otherwise, which is why the work stoppage resulting from the writers and actors strike is nearing sixth months.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023
WestRock is nearing a deal to merge with Europe’s Smurfit Kappa in a move that would create a global paper and packaging powerhouse worth some $20 billion.
—Laura Cooper, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2023
Dozens of clips of the brawl have been posted on social media, with one on YouTube nearing 200,000 views.
—Justin Vellucci The Tribune-Review, al, 6 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'near.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adverb, Preposition, Adjective, and Verb
Middle English ner, partly from ner nearer, from Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh; partly from Old Norse nær nearer, comparative of nā- nigh — more at nigh
First Known Use
Adverb
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Preposition
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
circa 1522, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of near was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing near
Articles Related to near
Dictionary Entries Near near
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/near. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
near
1 of 4 adverb1
: at, within, or to a short distance or time
night was drawing near
2
: in a condition or state resembling or close to : almost
near dead
3
: nearly sense 1
near related
near
2 of 4 preposition(ˈ)ni(ə)r
: close to
standing near the door
near
3 of 4 adjectiveˈni(ə)r
1
: closely related or associated
her nearest and dearest friend
2
a
: not far away
the near future
b
: barely avoided
a near disaster
c
: almost not happening
a near victory
3
: being the closer of two
the near side of a hill
4
: direct entry 2 sense 1, short
the nearest route
5
: closely resembling a model or a genuine example
near silk
nearness
noun
near
4 of 4 verbˈni(ə)r
: to come near : approach
the ship was nearing the dock
More from Merriam-Webster on near
Nglish: Translation of near for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of near for Arabic Speakers
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