1
as in thin
being of less than usual width
found a narrow opening in the fence that he was able to squeeze through
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in small
not broad or open in views or opinions
a narrow person who thought that anyone who even owned a television had been morally corrupted by society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in limited
having distinct or certain limits
a play about human suffering, but in a narrower sense, also about the modern struggles of the working-class poor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a narrow gubernatorial contest, the outcome of which may depend upon a handful of votes
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in parochial
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints
tried to convince the narrow members of her family that there are many paths to a successful career that don't involve getting a university degree
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 narrow
Sean Nevin, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
What looked like a narrow corridor of cosmic architectures now opens into an embarrassment of possibilities.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
Dutch parliamentary election tests ruling far-right party Dutch voters cast ballots today in a parliamentary election in which a far-right party that led opinion polls for months has seen its advantage narrow into a three-horse race.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
To help narrow down the wide selection, here are 15 of the best patio furniture deals at Pottery Barn Outlet.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narrow
Adjective
Iran is forcing oil tankers to take a new route in the Strait of Hormuz through a narrow passage controlled by its Revolutionary Guard, with some ships charged millions of dollars to transit, according to maritime data shared with NBC News.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
What looked like a narrow corridor of cosmic architectures now opens into an embarrassment of possibilities.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Chargers win if: The Chargers’ margin for error narrows in Week 10 after their victories the past two weeks.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
Dutch parliamentary election tests ruling far-right party Dutch voters cast ballots today in a parliamentary election in which a far-right party that led opinion polls for months has seen its advantage narrow into a three-horse race.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Those roster moves narrow the options for their remaining 26-man roster spots.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
To help narrow down the wide selection, here are 15 of the best patio furniture deals at Pottery Barn Outlet.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrow
Adjective
-
While that advice refers primarily to metal utensils, the same principles apply across materials, especially where thin construction can increase the risk of breakage.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of the district's smallest elementary schools now serve only a couple of hundred students, limiting available resources.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Higher bond yields ripple through all kinds of credit markets, making everything from mortgages to small-business loans more expensive.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Supplemental Security Income is a program administered by the Social Security Administration providing benefits for those with limited or no income or resources, those aged 65 or older, and those who are blind or have a qualifying disability.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
You're also given a 5-year limited warranty that covers you in case something happens to it.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Catcher Danny Jansen hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to bust open a close game, and the Rangers held on for an 8-5 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But quietly, the third-year forward had put himself in position for a more parochial reserve reward, one that caught him unaware.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The school, a private parochial campus overseen by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, had 390 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in 2025, according to its website.—
Nick El Hajj,
Des Moines Register,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other hospitality brands have followed suit, turning the larger Peninsula Papagayo area and Playa Penca, just across the bay, into a bona fide luxury enclave.—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Others, like the ribbon weed that grows in the bays of Gathaagudu, Australia, poke their flowers from tiny spikes atop leafless stems.—
David George Haskell,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
China and Russia grow closer in Arctic efforts The lack of funding comes at a time when the Chinese and Russian Coast Guards are tightening their relationship.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Yet certain types of speech can still trigger criminal charges, and Morocco has seen tightening restrictions on dissent, including against journalists and activists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The pencil-thin DQ Tower squeezes a full home into a very slender footprint, while the EONE XL takes a wider prefab approach to the same basic challenge.—
Stefan Ionescu
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This is the slender center of Vietnam, the Truong Son Range between Laos and the South China Sea.—
Nicole Young,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrow. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
