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
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The two have been working together for almost two years to start up the company.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
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 scandal engulfed the race almost immediately.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The two have been working together for almost two years to start up the company.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
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
-
Döpfner nearly bought the FT in 2015, before losing it to Nikkei, and took a controlling stake in Business Insider — at the top of the new media market — for $343 million.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
There’s a close call when Dick opens the cargo door and nearly jumps out of the plane, but Leroy stops him just in time.—
Louis Peitzman,
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
Adverb
-
But the man who caught her eye in the end was practically a stranger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
While other Super Tuscans are practically household names among wine collectors, Ca’Marcanda’s flagship blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Camarcanda (without the apostrophe), seems to fly under the radar.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
2 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
At a time when virtually every door to opportunity was shut to African Americans, Robeson (1898-1976) achieved enormous feats – becoming a star football player at Rutgers and later earning his law degree from Columbia University while playing in the nascent NFL.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
-
On April 24, George Stinney faced a sham trial virtually alone.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
But the reality for him, fairly or unfairly, is that if some of the habits persist, the smoke may turn to fire as the season progresses.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Still, this technology requires careful attention to bias by ensuring AI agents recognize diverse communication patterns fairly and accurately, rather than embedding harmful assumptions.—
Rachel Curry,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Almost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/almost. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share