1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
a
: almost but not quite
nearly identical
nearly a year later
b
: to the least extent
not nearly as good as we expected
Examples of nearly in a Sentence
I see her nearly every day.
We lived there for nearly two years.
Nearly all of us got sick that weekend.
Recent Examples on the Web
Guest rooms and suites with spacious living areas are both available, all of course equipped with the famous Four Seasons mattresses and linens that nearly guarantee a sound night’s sleep.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
The tool searched for promotional logos and text associated with gambling, however subtle or brief, in nearly 90,000 frames of video.
—Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
Most of its riders live outside New York City in two counties populated by nearly three million people.
—Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
After nearly a year, those taking GLP-1 drugs were 8% less likely to need a CPAP machine, 32% less likely to die from any cause and 10% less likely to be hospitalized compared to those on a different class of diabetes medication.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nearly
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
The tool searched for promotional logos and text associated with gambling, however subtle or brief, in nearly 90,000 frames of video.
—Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
Most of its riders live outside New York City in two counties populated by nearly three million people.
—Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
After nearly a year, those taking GLP-1 drugs were 8% less likely to need a CPAP machine, 32% less likely to die from any cause and 10% less likely to be hospitalized compared to those on a different class of diabetes medication.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Cite this Entry
“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nearly. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nearly
adverb
near·ly
ˈni(ə)r-lē 
1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
: almost but not quite
nearly the same
nearly missed the train
3
: to the least extent
not nearly enough
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