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
Instead, the group will follow the normal county process for zoning changes for the nearly 18,000-acre swath of land proposed for development.
—
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2024
The big picture: President Biden gathered the support of nearly 4,000 delegates in his near-sweep of the primary race — but his Sunday announcement just weeks before the Democratic National Convention has left those delegates untethered to a candidate.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 23 July 2024
The Democratic convention in Chicago that was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 July 2024
Billy Strings’ Live, Vol. 1 bows at No. 5 on Top Album Sales with nearly 15,000 sold – from three vinyl variants (which combined to sell 12,000 copies – his best vinyl week ever; debuting at No. 2 on Vinyl Albums), a CD and a digital download.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for nearly 
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2024
The big picture: President Biden gathered the support of nearly 4,000 delegates in his near-sweep of the primary race — but his Sunday announcement just weeks before the Democratic National Convention has left those delegates untethered to a candidate.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 23 July 2024
The Democratic convention in Chicago that was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 July 2024
Billy Strings’ Live, Vol. 1 bows at No. 5 on Top Album Sales with nearly 15,000 sold – from three vinyl variants (which combined to sell 12,000 copies – his best vinyl week ever; debuting at No. 2 on Vinyl Albums), a CD and a digital download.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for nearly
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nearly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nearly
Cite this Entry
“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nearly. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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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