Synonyms of close
-
as in crowded 
-
as in near
-
as in narrow
-
as in intimate
-
as in silent
-
as in careful
-
as in breathless
-
as in accurate
-
as in to shut
-
as in to close (down)
-
as in to end
-
as in to stop
-
as in to come
-
as in to close
-
as in to guard
-
as in in
-
as in courtyard
-
as in ending
-
as in conclusion
-
as in cessation
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
1
as in crowded
having little space between items or parts
the soldiers marched in close formation against the enemy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in near
not being distant in time, space, or significance
my birthday is close to Christmas a shopping mall that is very close to the highway these words are close synonyms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
the election results were so close that the votes had to be recounted
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in intimate
closely acquainted
a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
she was as close as a stone when it came to talking about her love life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
the kind of folks who are very close when charity calls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in breathless
lacking fresh air
a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shut
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening
be sure to close the gate when you leave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point
we'll close the assembly with the singing of our national anthem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to stop
to come to an end
the services closed with a short prayer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to come
to come near or nearer
the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time
the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in courtyard
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls)
a garden in a close at the center of the complex
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity
at the close of the evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action
managed to conduct the negotiations to a satisfactory close
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to guard
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point
museum officials closed off the west wing after the fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
ordered a closedown of operations until the cause of the mine explosion could be determined
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 close
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 11 May 2025
Now, a new Netflix documentary is taking a closer look at the tragic — and complex — story.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025
Ian Hodgson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
But the dicastery closed that case in August 2023, after the diocese notified it of the dismissal of the civil case.
—Bob Ortega, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Sophie Dodd, People.com, 6 May 2025
When the great wooden doors of the Sistine Chapel close behind the electors on Wednesday afternoon, most of the politicking will have already been done, conducted in private over informal meetings and at dinners in the nearby guesthouse where the cardinals stay.
—Aryn Baker, Time, 6 May 2025
Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
That could easily change as his tenure as governor comes to a close, and as the Trump administration continues to push its policy agenda.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Jim Carlton, WSJ, 13 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for close
Adjective
Simple solution: The Derby and Preakness are too close at 14 days apart.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 11 May 2025
Now, a new Netflix documentary is taking a closer look at the tragic — and complex — story.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025
Verb
Ono was president of the University of British Columbia when the pandemic hit and moved swiftly to close the campus and require vaccinations for those who returned.
—Ian Hodgson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
But the dicastery closed that case in August 2023, after the diocese notified it of the dismissal of the civil case.
—Bob Ortega, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Adverb
The 'Friends' cast has continued to stay close since the show's final episode aired on May 6, 2004
1 Comments
More than two decades after Friends came to an end, the cast's real life friendships are still going strong.
—Sophie Dodd, People.com, 6 May 2025
When the great wooden doors of the Sistine Chapel close behind the electors on Wednesday afternoon, most of the politicking will have already been done, conducted in private over informal meetings and at dinners in the nearby guesthouse where the cardinals stay.
—Aryn Baker, Time, 6 May 2025
Noun
Abbott Elementary season 4 finale The school year is soon coming to a close, and Abbott Elementary is following suit.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
That could easily change as his tenure as governor comes to a close, and as the Trump administration continues to push its policy agenda.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
During the closedown period, the amount of sand taken from the beach will be lowered to a maximum of 240,000 tons a year from an average of almost 300,000 that state regulators say had been taken out over the past three decades.
—Jim Carlton, WSJ, 13 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
-
Changing ‘so fast’ In China, though, the field is crowded and cutthroat, with competition sparking a fierce, yearslong price war.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
-
Theater's highest honor, getting recognized with a nomination typically leads to an influx in box office sales, which new musicals desperately need during the crowded spring season.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
On the other hand, if the nominators’ vote produces a tie or a near tie among the nominees who receive the lowest number of votes, additional spots can open up.—
Scott Heller,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
The Boston Red Sox will be without Masataka Yoshida for the near future.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Often, places didn’t live up to the listings, with professional photos that turned dark into light, small into large, narrow into wide.—
Joyce Cohen,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
The bone had thick walls and a narrower bone marrow cavity.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Lower-income Californians also are more likely to live in tight quarters, making privacy for an intimate therapy session difficult.—
Phillip Reese,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
-
In two weeks, guests will visit UNESCO sites like Luang Prabang, witness elephants in their natural habitats, attend an intimate Baci ceremony led by a Lao prince, attend a private fashion show from one of Cambodia’s top designers, take a helicopter tour over the Khmer temples of Angkor, and more.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
In addition, the fiesta will feature live music and many local artists in the event’s silent and live auctions.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2025
-
So no, the church bells aren’t going silent anytime soon.—
Margaux Blanchard,
Wired News,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
That makes careful construction of games to maximize engagement vital, said Nate Jones, vice president of corporate strategy and development for Sony Interactive Entertainment, the PlayStation unit of Sony.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Wild first 20 minutes Most of this series has seen each team playing a very careful brand of hockey, feeling each other out in the first period, with few shots on goal and even fewer legitimate scoring opportunities.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Moore sprinted down the field in celebration of his game-saving play with 29 seconds left that gave UCLA an unexpectedly breathless 27-20 victory.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Nov. 2024
-
Jerry Coyne has a post up which critiques an extremely breathless review of a new book, Epigenetics Revolution.—
Razib Khan,
Discover Magazine,
24 Aug. 2011
Adjective
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Samantha Neely,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
And they – their testimony was proven not to be accurate, that the president was not tying aid to Ukraine to the investigation.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share