Synonyms of narrow

narrow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈner-(ˌ)ō 

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

• thin
• slender
• skinny
• fine
• slim
• tight
• close
• linear
• needlelike
• paper-thin
• elongate
• spare
• condensed
• ultrathin
• compressed
• constricted
• slim-jim
• tightened
• squeezed
• attenuated
• hairline
• lanky
• contracted
• spindly
• reedy
• stringy
• wispy
• attenuate
• willowy
• rangy
• twiggy
• bottleneck
• lank
• stalky
• shoestring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wide
• broad
• fat
• thick
• stocky
• squat
• stumpy
• massive
• chunky
• thickset
• voluminous
• bulky
• thickish
• widish

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

• small
• parochial
• petty
• little
• insular
• narrow-minded
• provincial
• sectarian
• stubborn
• rigid
• illiberal
• small-minded
• picayune
• limited
• Lilliputian
• partisan
• obstinate
• bigoted
• wrongheaded
• discriminatory
• partial
• biased
• ironbound
• inflexible
• obdurate
• dogmatic
• unyielding
• intolerant
• discriminating
• reactionary
• prejudiced
• hidebound
• jaundiced
• opinionated
• stodgy
• old-fashioned
• one-sided
• unsophisticated
• set
• straitlaced
• stuffy
• opinionative
• brassbound
• hick

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open
• liberal
• cosmopolitan
• receptive
• tolerant
• objective
• catholic
• impartial
• unbiased
• unprejudiced
• nonpartisan
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• freethinking

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

• limited
• restricted
• finite
• defined
• definite
• specific
• circumscribed
• bounded
• determinate
• measured
• small
• confined
• detailed
• tiny
• qualified
• constricted
• fixed
• moderate
• modified
• modest
• precise
• exact
• puny
• determined
• settled
• minute

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• infinite
• endless
• indefinite
• undefined
• unlimited
• boundless
• limitless
• unbounded
• general
• dimensionless
• immeasurable
• unmeasured
• illimitable
• innumerable
• measureless
• countless
• vague
• unfathomable
• inexhaustible
• bottomless
• large
• incalculable
• unqualified
• nebulous
• indeterminate
• inestimable
• enlarged
• vast
• unreserved
• extensive
• considerable
• broad
• substantial
• expanded
• big
• great
• plentiful
• sizable
• major
• voluminous
• copious
• bulky
• super
• handsome
• whole
• respectable
• goodly
• expansive
• oversize
• hefty
• sweeping
• comprehensive
• ample
• jumbo
• grandiose
• universal
• epic
• inclusive
• global
• bumper
• cosmopolitan
• largish
• escalated
• plenitudinous
• hulking
• overscale
• king-size
• whacking

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

• close
• tight
• crowded
• neck and neck
• hairbreadth
• nip and tuck
• down-to-the-wire

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

• parochial
• provincial
• bigoted
• intolerant
• prejudiced
• narrow-minded
• partial
• partisan
• small-minded
• illiberal
• reactionary
• insular
• hidebound
• blindfolded
• old-fashioned
• biased
• blinkered
• one-sided

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberal
• extreme
• tolerant
• radical
• progressive
• unprejudiced
• objective
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• impartial
• unbiased

narrow

2 of 3

noun

as in bay

Related Words

• bay
• inlet
• lagoon
• roads
• cove
• estuary
• fjord
• embayment
• bight
• port
• anchorage
• harbor
• creek
• roadstead
• arm
• loch
• firth
• lough
• canal
• basin
• gulf
• dock
• strait
• sound
• marina
• haven
• mooring
• harborage
• channel
• home port
• moorage
• seaport
• containerport

narrow

3 of 3

verb

as in to tighten

Related Words

• tighten
• impede
• hinder
• hamper
• obstruct
• block
• restrict
• confine
• constrict
• lessen
• limit
• bar
• squeeze
• contract
• hold down
• pinch
• circumscribe
• number
• repress
• suppress
• cap
• modify
• quell
• qualify

Dissimilar Words

• exceed
• broaden
• widen
• expand
• overreach
• overextend

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of narrow

Adjective

Iran struck back with missiles and drones and began attacking commercial ships in the waters around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow channel between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. — Brian C. Black, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Together, these statements matter at a time when some in Washington advocate a narrower role for the US. — Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

Millions of Americans have peripheral artery disease, a vascular disorder in which the buildup of plaque narrows arteries and blocks blood flow in the legs. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 29 May 2026

Many famed surf spots to the south — like Doheny, San Clemente and San Onofre — also have seen the beach narrow precipitously. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

Verb

The mechanic, who’s been trained to narrow down the problem, asks a few follow-up questions. — John Bruggeman, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

The Pride forward converted the penalty kick to narrow the gap to 2-1. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing narrow

• narrow (down)
• narrow escape