close 1 of 5

1
2
3
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

4
5
6
7
8

close

2 of 5

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

4
5

close

3 of 5

adverb

close

4 of 5

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

5 of 5

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
Meanwhile, her closest friends included her cousin Melissa Perry and Lauryn's boyfriend's mom, Jill McKenny. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025 The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Government offices State and local courts and administrative offices will be closed. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025 Both organizations eliminated all inpatient mental health care, with Tri-City closing its 18-bed unit in 2018, citing financial and regulatory difficulties, and Palomar gradually reducing its services from 22 to a dozen beds in 2020 and then eliminating the remainder last year. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
Jihan peers closer at these images, now sensing in some of them that her father seems preoccupied, as if already aware of the tragic fate that would befall him. Leila Latif, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025 Taking the time at the end of the day to connect as a family and talk about your ‘rose’ and ‘thorn’ at dinner can be a wonderful way to bring everyone closer. Janine Henni, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
LifeLabs YiLab Temperature Control Technologies has announced the close of an oversubscribed pre-A funding round—bringing the material science company’s total funding to more than $10 million. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025 Paramount President Jeff Shell told reporters at last month’s press conference marking the close of the Skydance merger that he had been struck by how sparsely populated the company’s current headquarters are at 1515 Broadway. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • On crowded factory floors, machines must share space with each other and with obstacles while working at high speed.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The evening included readings of erotic poetry by James Massiah and Adult Entertainment, sensual cocktails canapés by Heal Goblin, as well as beers and cans of water for those who couldn’t get into the crowded venue that poured out onto the street.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Almost as concerning as the calamity in the top of the second inning was the near-disaster that happened in the bottom half, as Will Smith took a foul tip off the back of his right hand and exited the game a half-inning later.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Those reports come ahead of Friday’s big jobs report, which will determine the near-term outlook for a stock market that has been on edge.
    Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The financial leaders who struggle are typically those insisting on narrow specialization when their organizations need broader capabilities.
    Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • But those authorities are narrower and limit how quickly and to what extent a president can act.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Premiering at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, BRATS offers an intimate look at the group's cultural impact in films such as The Breakfast Club (1985), Back to the Future (1985) and Pretty in Pink (1986), as well as behind-the-scenes footage and promotional clips.
    Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Through these events, the collective bridges intimate gatherings with cultural institutions, extending their commitment to visibility and care.
    Essence, Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez appears destined for free agency as contract talks are reportedly completely silent.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • As foreign dignitaries descend in Beijing this week, the conflicting narratives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a reminder that eight decades after Japan's surrender, the guns may be silent, but the battle over the legacy of the war is far from over.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But that cheaper investment has largely been eviscerated, according to a cadre of sports bankers CNBC interviewed.
    Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Travelers can snag cheap flights to explore New York in September and October.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The first few minutes of the film are a breathless, almost wordless introduction to the Otherlands, with Scarlet trapped under rotting hands clamoring to keep her there.
    Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
  • There have been no breathless interviews about wedding plans or a tour hiatus.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have developed aerial robots that fly directly into the smoke, gathering data that could make forecasts far more accurate.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
    Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on close

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!