1
2
as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
the incessant busyness of the family next-door makes us look like we live in near retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in living
closely resembling the object imitated
the dress is made from a near silk that would fool anyone but an expert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
not being distant in time, space, or significance
the famous prediction that in the near future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in familiar
closely acquainted
only her nearest friends know she's pregnant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time
as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire as summer draws near, we usually start planning our annual vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in almost
very close to but not completely
it's near six o'clock, so we should start preparing dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in approximately
close to but not exactly
it takes somewhere near an hour to get there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to close
to come near or nearer
as the procession nears, you'll be able to take a better picture of the graduates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of near
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025
Police are investigating a homicide after a body was found near a heavily trafficked area of a Nevada County park.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 8 Jan. 2026
Peterson also expects tariffs to remain a near-term overhang.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The actress and comedian almost singlehandedly revived the Golden Globes telecast last year with a hosting gig that did the near-impossible feat of pleasing a room full of A-listers and seemingly everyone who watched on TV.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Whether the league can keep up with the next star player who nears the end of her contract, though, is still an open question.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
The injured man told them that a female friend had taken his truck and sold it to a man at a game room near East Berry Street and South Riverside Drive, police said.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025
Police are investigating a homicide after a body was found near a heavily trafficked area of a Nevada County park.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
As a last resort, lie flat in the nearest depression, ditch or culvert and cover your head with your arms.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 8 Jan. 2026
Peterson also expects tariffs to remain a near-term overhang.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
The Olympic medalist made a triumphant return to the mat for her senior year at UCLA — and opened the NCAA gymnastics season with a near-perfect performance seemingly inspired by her time on Dancing with the Stars.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The actress and comedian almost singlehandedly revived the Golden Globes telecast last year with a hosting gig that did the near-impossible feat of pleasing a room full of A-listers and seemingly everyone who watched on TV.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Williams and Tatum's trip to Costa Rica at the top of the year comes as their relationship nears the one-year mark.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Whether the league can keep up with the next star player who nears the end of her contract, though, is still an open question.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
The moderates had expected a larger number of Democrats to vote with them as around 10-12 Democratic senators had been part of the negotiations.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Director Michael Arden, meanwhile, is up to his elbows just moving the cumbersome Legos of Dane Laffrey’s set around.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In that sense, shortages on the Colorado River will have a small relative impact on Queen Creek — likely bringing about three years of higher water rates for residents — but the town is still far from a long-term renewable water supply that can meet its growth potential.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The incredible women in the comments reminded me [that] beauty is relative.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
While 10 mice died and some flies didn’t survive, most of the animals came back alive, giving scientists valuable insight into how living organisms cope with spaceflight.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
27 Dec. 2025
-
In a breakthrough that reimagines how living tissue can drive machines, researchers at MIT have developed artificial tendons made from tough, flexible hydrogel.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Traffic concerns remained a prominent theme of the more than 100 emails the city received in early December, but many people expressed excitement at the prospect of a closer Costco.—
Rose Evans
January 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Clippers raced to a 14-5 lead, but the Knicks answered with eight straight points and the game was close for the first three quarters.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The knit top offered the familiar ease of an oversized tee with the warmth and polish of a sweater, a mix that feels both cozy and refined.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Experts say some familiar nutrition advice remains, but the changes may raise questions and confusion.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Acclaimed chefs fly in for pop-up dinners and cooking classes.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The gable vent is one of several that can draw embers into your attic if one flies in.—
Juan Fernandez,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Soon, TikTok users were tracking the situation closely, rooting not just for the net to be repaired — but for Phillips’ party to go on as planned.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The new moves — essentially enrolling merchants in Amazon’s store, in some cases without their knowledge — appears unprecedented, said Juozas Kaziukėnas, an independent analyst who closely tracks Amazon’s marketplace.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Sure, the Hurricanes beat the world when Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson coached there, but that was almost two generations ago.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Larssen told the Ledger-Transcript that for part of the slide, the SUV was almost t-boned until Martin, who drove the vehicle, was able to pull out.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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