: 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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
The Rockets could attempt to void the contract if Porter is convicted, or attempt to trade him, which could be near impossible unless the Rockets threw in draft compensation.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Their leaves are wilting and curling, with some yellowing on one plant on leaves nearer to the ground.
—oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
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
Richard Rubin, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2023
The Boo Radleys’ Giant Steps isn’t an achievement anywhere near the scale of John Coltrane’s 1960 masterwork, sure.
—Al Shipley, Spin, 28 Sep. 2023
Highs are around 70 and winds are from the northeast near 10 mph.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Preston built a papier-mâché castle between two trees near the entrance.
—Gillian Bagwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023
Jail Driver dies after striking tomato harvester on Highway 152 near Gilroy
In:
Florida
Aliza Chasan
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBS News.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2023
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
Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2023
The simple setup design comes with a hook and a 5-foot cord to enable you to plug it into the nearest outlet.
—Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2023
And while countless projects continue to explore what solar sails could hold for the future of space travel, a new study demonstrates just how promising the technology could be for excursions to Earth’s nearest planetary neighbor, and beyond.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Sep. 2023
Concerns range from the near term, such as artificial intelligence infusing more sexist and racist biases into important tech, to longer-term fears of a sci-fi future where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence and begins acting on its own.
—Gerrit De Vynck The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2023
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
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2023
As part of a long-running federal relicensing process for the Hells Canyon dam complex, which appears to be nearing its conclusion, the utility has agreed to spend $1 billion on environmental measures over the next 50 years, including efforts to reduce river temperatures.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2023
Hollywood execs had been meeting with negotiating teams for both sides, and an offer was reportedly made on Saturday that appeared to mark the parties were nearing the finish line.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2023
The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers appear to be nearing the finish line on a deal that could end the union’s historic, 145-day strike.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Sep. 2023
Junior surf contest deadline nearing The deadline to enter Windansea Surf Club’s annual Menehune junior surf contest is Sept. 29.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2023
It’s set to remain west of the Azores, then pass northward and dissipate before nearing Europe.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
At that point nearing the 16-minute mark of the second half, the senior’s goal barely mattered.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2023
The 5-foot-5 senior is in her third season as the starting libero for Valparaiso (11-9, 3-5), is a team captain and is nearing 1,000 career digs.
—Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
Adverb
Some have pushed off day jobs or moved near to the Washington, DC, courthouse.
—WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
The Rockets could attempt to void the contract if Porter is convicted, or attempt to trade him, which could be near impossible unless the Rockets threw in draft compensation.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Their leaves are wilting and curling, with some yellowing on one plant on leaves nearer to the ground.
—oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
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
Preposition
But those programs have largely expired, and unemployment is now near record-low levels again.
—Richard Rubin, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2023
The Boo Radleys’ Giant Steps isn’t an achievement anywhere near the scale of John Coltrane’s 1960 masterwork, sure.
—Al Shipley, Spin, 28 Sep. 2023
Highs are around 70 and winds are from the northeast near 10 mph.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Preston built a papier-mâché castle between two trees near the entrance.
—Gillian Bagwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023
Jail Driver dies after striking tomato harvester on Highway 152 near Gilroy
In:
Florida
Aliza Chasan
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBS News.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2023
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
Adjective
Visitors can find their nearest fountain using this handy map.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2023
The simple setup design comes with a hook and a 5-foot cord to enable you to plug it into the nearest outlet.
—Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2023
And while countless projects continue to explore what solar sails could hold for the future of space travel, a new study demonstrates just how promising the technology could be for excursions to Earth’s nearest planetary neighbor, and beyond.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Sep. 2023
Concerns range from the near term, such as artificial intelligence infusing more sexist and racist biases into important tech, to longer-term fears of a sci-fi future where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence and begins acting on its own.
—Gerrit De Vynck The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2023
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
Verb
The most exciting news of all may be that the Valhalla, which was first announced way back in 2019, is finally nearing the finish line.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2023
As part of a long-running federal relicensing process for the Hells Canyon dam complex, which appears to be nearing its conclusion, the utility has agreed to spend $1 billion on environmental measures over the next 50 years, including efforts to reduce river temperatures.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2023
Hollywood execs had been meeting with negotiating teams for both sides, and an offer was reportedly made on Saturday that appeared to mark the parties were nearing the finish line.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2023
The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers appear to be nearing the finish line on a deal that could end the union’s historic, 145-day strike.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Sep. 2023
Junior surf contest deadline nearing The deadline to enter Windansea Surf Club’s annual Menehune junior surf contest is Sept. 29.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2023
It’s set to remain west of the Azores, then pass northward and dissipate before nearing Europe.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
At that point nearing the 16-minute mark of the second half, the senior’s goal barely mattered.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2023
The 5-foot-5 senior is in her third season as the starting libero for Valparaiso (11-9, 3-5), is a team captain and is nearing 1,000 career digs.
—Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 18 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 4 Oct. 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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