as in nearly
very close to but not completely
we were almost finished with dinner when an unexpected visitor showed up there were almost enough seats for everybody on the bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
burdened with impossibly high expectations, the movie came to be regarded as an almost failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of almost
Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
The researchers tested their two-part drug on mice and zebrafish engineered to produce β-glucuronidase, and found that the drug was activated almost exclusively in tumors, sparing healthy tissue and organs.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
Despite arguably kicking off the trend of internet shutdowns a decade ago with an almost year-long blackout in the western province of Xinjiang, China is not a frequent offender.
—James Griffiths, CNN, 9 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for almost
Adverb
According to online marketplace Auto Trader, JLR took the top slot on its new car platform in August and is vying for a similar position in September with almost a million ad views in the two months.
—Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
The researchers tested their two-part drug on mice and zebrafish engineered to produce β-glucuronidase, and found that the drug was activated almost exclusively in tumors, sparing healthy tissue and organs.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Orange County has paid more than $39 million worth of settlements in the almost year since the Airport fire broke out and destroyed more than 100 structures, according to county officials.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
Despite arguably kicking off the trend of internet shutdowns a decade ago with an almost year-long blackout in the western province of Xinjiang, China is not a frequent offender.
—James Griffiths, CNN, 9 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for almost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for almost
Adverb
-
In another sign of sluggish domestic demand, China’s consumer prices fell more than expected last month while deflation in wholesale prices persisted for nearly three years.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
22 Sep. 2025
-
No new platform has benefited more from this friction than Substack, which has nearly doubled its number of paying subscribers in the last year alone, from around 3 million to more than 5 million.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
How impressive a comeback Don’t Believe The Truth was in 2005 after the relative disappointment of 2002’s Heathen Chemistry has no bearing on why Oasis’s reunion tour is this year’s hottest ticket.—
Jesse Adams,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Luzzatto said the relative shortness of that term is scaring away capital.—
Matthew Geiger,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Ruching on the sleeves and a darling keyhole neckline are thoughtful touches that’ll help this top stand out from others in your collection, and the deep colors and whimsical pattern are practically destined for your fall wardrobe.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
But practically speaking, the weather in Munich, Germany is not exactly desirable in October—the days are shorter, which translates to less party time and fewer people in attendance.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss the hepatitis B vaccine recommended at birth, a shot that decades of research has shown is safe and has virtually eliminated hepatitis B among babies in the United States.—
Dr. Jade Cobern,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Getty Images That upward trajectory stands in contrast to the United States, where life expectancy virtually flatlined during the 2010s and even dipped slightly on occasions during the 2010s—a trend blamed in large part on a surge in deaths from overdoses from the synthetic opioid fentanyl.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Texas State is 2‑1, putting up over 450 yards per game on offense, split fairly evenly between the rushing and passing attack, and scoring near 37 points per game.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Pushing them up Ojos, and then riding down, was an absurd bit of alpine theatre that put Diamox and our other fairly common concession to time and terrain—driving to seventeen thousand feet—mostly out of my mind.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Almost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/almost. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share