neck and neck

adverb or adjective

: very close (as in a race)

Examples of neck and neck in a Sentence

a neck and neck finish in which only a fraction of a second separated the winner from the runner-up
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Barring a regression — or a late-season surge from someone else — these two should be neck and neck. Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025 The progressive challenger who's neck and neck with Cuomo: Who is Zohran Mamdani? Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 25 June 2025 Cuomo and Mamdani are neck and neck in the polls, separated by 10 percentage points — 55 percent to 45 percent — according to a June survey from the Marist Institute for Public Opinion. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 June 2025 By that maturity metric, Journalism and Sovereignty seem rather neck and neck, with Sovereignty arguably a nose in front. Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for neck and neck

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neck and neck was in 1672

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Neck and neck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neck%20and%20neck. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

neck and neck

adverb or adjective
: very close (as in a race)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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