as in nearly
very close to but not completely
we were almost finished with dinner when an unexpected visitor showed up there were almost enough seats for everybody on the bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
burdened with impossibly high expectations, the movie came to be regarded as an almost failure
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 almost
Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
This native perennial thrives in rich, moist, almost swampy soil.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
Despite arguably kicking off the trend of internet shutdowns a decade ago with an almost year-long blackout in the western province of Xinjiang, China is not a frequent offender.
—James Griffiths, CNN, 9 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for almost
Adverb
The event, overseen by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, is tightly scripted and almost entirely predetermined to showcase a leadership hyperfocused on stability.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
This native perennial thrives in rich, moist, almost swampy soil.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Orange County has paid more than $39 million worth of settlements in the almost year since the Airport fire broke out and destroyed more than 100 structures, according to county officials.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
Despite arguably kicking off the trend of internet shutdowns a decade ago with an almost year-long blackout in the western province of Xinjiang, China is not a frequent offender.
—James Griffiths, CNN, 9 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for almost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for almost
Adverb
-
The new proposal would nearly double that ceiling, setting a new cap at 15% for cities under 30,000 people.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Its housing market has also crashed, with major centers Auckland and Wellington suffering among their worst slumps in history, following a post-pandemic surge – with prices down nearly 30% in the capital since January 2022.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
What are the relative velocities between them?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Mar. 2026
-
While audio listening overall continues on a healthy trajectory, the go-go times of a few years ago, when Spotify and rivals were scooping up talent and emerging studios, have segued to a period of relative austerity.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Denise Giardina, a Huntington Beach book seller and friend of Voorhees’, has been on Home Depot patrols in her community and said planning various political actions is practically a full-time job.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Temperatures are still unpredictable, sidewalks are cold, and open-toe sandals feel premature both practically and visually.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Most Versatile Hotel Comforter Leave it to the Four Seasons to create a down duvet designed for year-round comfort—and virtually all beds.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The law allows virtually anyone to file a lawsuit claiming potential environmental harm, and has become a tool for unions seeking leverage, competitors seeking advantage, and neighborhood groups seeking status quo.—
Mike Garcia,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The show, which first opened in London in 2022, has a fairly devoted following and the developers behind the project (Extell is joined by Bluestone Group on this ABBA Voyage) are anticipating crowds.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The crew member was ultimately taken into the church and locals performed an exorcism – something Robinson says is a fairly normal occurrence in the Philippines.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Almost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/almost. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
