close 1 of 5

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as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors the election results were so close that the votes had to be recounted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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close

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verb

1
as in to shut
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening be sure to close the gate when you leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to close (down)
to stop the operations of the merchant will close the store if business doesn't improve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll close the assembly with the singing of our national anthem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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close

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adverb

close

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noun (1)

as in courtyard
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls) a garden in a close at the center of the complex

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

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noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective close contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of close are miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When can miserly be used instead of close?

The synonyms miserly and close are sometimes interchangeable, but miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would niggardly be a reasonable alternative to close?

Although the words niggardly and close have much in common, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

In what contexts can parsimonious take the place of close?

While in some cases nearly identical to close, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When is it sensible to use penurious instead of close?

The meanings of penurious and close largely overlap; however, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When could stingy be used to replace close?

In some situations, the words stingy and close are roughly equivalent. However, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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 close
Adjective
Jeff, Dave, and Heather huddle around for a closer look. Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025 The latter allowed a closer look at intricate details but lacked the final adjustments — and the person bringing the clothes to life. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
The focus now is on how to get energy back into the aging shopping plaza — several of its larger anchors, including Michael’s, Party City and Big Lots, have closed — without going forward full bore on the overall city hub plan, which would have connected both sides of Oso Creek with the center. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025 Although Homan's encounter with the FBI agents led to Homan being investigated for bribery and other crimes, The New York Times reported prosecutors closed the case after doubting there was enough evidence to prove to a jury that Homan agreed to specific actions in exchange for the payment. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Adverb
As manager John Schneider addressed his team, the players pressed closer. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025 The sun is setting earlier and earlier across Tennessee as the year moves closer towards the end of daylight saving time. Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
While this bag is compact, the main pocket is large enough to hold essential items that are important to keep close-by while traveling like a phone and wallet. Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025 As their season careens to a close this week, with a 70-87 record going into Wednesday night, a last-place finish assured and the only record within reach being that for strikeouts in a season by the offense, contention seems as far away as it’s ever been. Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • Ravenna offers a less crowded alternative to popular Italian destinations like Venice and Rome.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Forever remembered and loved In the crowded police conference room, love for Rylo filled the air.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Wharton’s targeting of the near-post area is complemented by Mateta, Munoz and Ismaila Sarr (red).
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Because the broad thrust of Powell’s speech contained worries about the softening labor market, which implies the Fed will stay on its rate-cutting path in the near term.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The narrow lanes are waterlogged and airless, and here in India’s financial capital, a deadly disease is lurking at every door.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
  • The medieval village of Orta San Giulio sits right on the water, with narrow cobblestone streets, frescoed churches, and boats that ferry visitors to the serene Isola San Giulio.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter in September 2017, George opened up about the intimate proposal.
    Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Rebecca Hall plays Rosenkrantz and Ben Whishaw plays Hujar, who offers a detailed account of his previous day’s activity, involving such idiosyncratic eminences as Susan Sontag and Allen Ginsberg—and the sorts of gamesmanship and intimate tensions that ensnare and frustrate artistic energies.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In sync with the dance theme and in a nod to the creative process, the presentation will recreate a dance competition, with models donning Moja Rowa pieces and number badges while twirling and gliding with headphones on — silent party mode.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
  • But even these statistics highlight just how widespread – and silent – the infection really is.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Wahlberg plays a holy fool in Boogie Nights, our naïve but well-endowed guide through the heyday of theatrical pornography and its decline into something cheaper and tawdrier courtesy of the triumph of VHS.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
  • It’s been used to import cheap foreign labor at the expense of Americans.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Such breathless idealism sounds otherworldly today.
    Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • This is a story about two young people who find each other, fall madly in love, and are then torn apart by unimaginable disaster — one rendered by the obsessive director in minute, breathless, excruciating detail.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, recent studies have indicated that reliance on AI models can reduce physicians' ability to make accurate clinical judgments in the absence of AI.
    Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

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