close 1 of 8

adjective

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
Definition of closenext
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

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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

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4
as in intimate
closely acquainted a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends

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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

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6
as in cheap
giving or sharing as little as possible the kind of folks who are very close when charity calls

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7
as in breathless
lacking fresh air a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere

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8
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies

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close

2 of 8

verb (1)

ˈklōz How to pronounce close (audio)
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

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2
as in to close (down)
to stop the operations of the merchant will close the store if business doesn't improve

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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

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4
as in to stop
to come to an end the services closed with a short prayer

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5
as in to come
to come near or nearer the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field

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close

3 of 8

adverb

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

4 of 8

noun (1)

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
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

close

5 of 8

noun (2)

ˈklōz How to pronounce close (audio)
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity at the close of the evening

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2
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action managed to conduct the negotiations to a satisfactory close

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close (down)

6 of 8

verb (2)

as in to close
to stop the operations of the coal mine was closed down in the 1930s

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

closedown

7 of 8

noun (3)

ˈklōz-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce closedown (audio)
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

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close (off)

8 of 8

verb (3)

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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective close contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of close are miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When can miserly be used instead of close?

The synonyms miserly and close are sometimes interchangeable, but miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would niggardly be a reasonable alternative to close?

Although the words niggardly and close have much in common, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

In what contexts can parsimonious take the place of close?

While in some cases nearly identical to close, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When is it sensible to use penurious instead of close?

The meanings of penurious and close largely overlap; however, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When could stingy be used to replace close?

In some situations, the words stingy and close are roughly equivalent. However, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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
Adjective
Burgos Famed for its medieval architecture, this provincial capital will be busy for the eclipse, but pay close attention to sight lines. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 July 2026 McGonigle is the youngest player at 21 and Boston closer Aroldis Chapman at 38 is the oldest. — Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Verb
The average time to close a case has reduced by a third, from 119 days last year to 75 days. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 Lawmakers there are now working to close that loophole with a bill that passed the House in March, but hasn't seen much action since then. — Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, 14 July 2026
Adverb
The series also brings Danny closer together on screen with his son Sean Reagan, a character that originated on Blue Bloods, portrayed by Mika Amonsen. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 July 2026 The heartfelt closer is about Waterhouse and her partner being apart for work. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026
Noun
The flat, accessible boardwalk runs in a quarter-mile loop along the sand, giving you an up-close look at this unique biome. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026 As the World Cup comes to a close, will the American relationship to soccer change? — Washington Post Opinions, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
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
  1. crowded
  2. near
  3. narrow
  4. intimate
  5. silent
  6. tight
  7. breathless
  8. accurate
Adjective
  • Jackson said the sell-off reflected an unwinding of crowded AI momentum trades rather than a deterioration in the sector’s long-term fundamentals.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • While the modern beach retreat resides in one of Mexico’s most popular resort towns, SLS Cancun never feels crowded — the hotel only offers 45 luxurious, stylish suites by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni.
    — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of crowded
Adjective
  • But Republicans who have a supermajority in the state Senate and a near-supermajority in the state House have taken no such steps.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • Our gap in market share was 70 points versus our nearest competitor.
    — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of near
Adjective
  • The broad straps offset the lower neckline, which scoops at its narrowest point for a softer look, rather than forming a harsh line.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 13 July 2026
  • Plans with lower monthly costs often have narrower networks of doctors and hospitals, and less generous drug coverage.
    — Renuka Rayasam, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Its ships have hundreds of rooms and suites—not thousands—and slip into harbors that megaships cannot reach, keeping shore days intimate enough that the market vendor, the guide, and the lunch that follows feel like part of the same long afternoon.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • The dining room is intimate, so reservations are strongly recommended, and Monday nights are dedicated to Charlotte’s hospitality workers.
    — Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Definition of intimate
Adjective
  • The glacial beats and the near-silent raps full of heartbreak and drugs are best absorbed through headphones.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
  • The Grok elephant in the room Although Apple has removed some apps flagged by researchers, the iPhone maker otherwise has remained notably silent amid calls to police nudification apps more aggressively in its App Store.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • Despite persistent inflation and tighter household budgets, Bankrate analyst Alex Gailey says even small financial adjustments can make a meaningful difference over time.
    — Bonnie Laden, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Pilots are launching into a bottleneck already packed with ferries, commercial vessels, and tour boats, while sharing tight overhead airspace with NYPD, news, and helicopters, often with limited visibility.
    — Janet Handal, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • One of the best things about this episode’s edit is the sharp contrast between the players’ breathless race up and down the line of rooms and shots of the more relaxed atmosphere in any room that isn’t actively in use.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Physical comedy and razor-sharp wit collide in this carnival of theatrical surprises — a masterful blend of classic French farce and contemporary slapstick that will leave audiences breathless with laughter, the news release states.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of breathless
Adjective
  • In the years since, Becenti said, the data has painted a more accurate and encouraging picture.
    — Savannah Peters, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • The age range was chosen because accurate readings on these topics are harder with older kids.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of accurate

Phrases Containing close

Browse Nearby Words

clops
close
close call
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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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