close 1 of 8

Definition of closenext
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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

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close

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verb (1)

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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close

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adverb

close

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noun (1)

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

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close

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noun (2)

close (down)

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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

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noun (3)

close (off)

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The app focuses on food that is still good but getting close to its best-by date. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 Trump has repeatedly said a deal with Tehran to reopen Hormuz is close, but such an agreement still has not materialized. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 9 June 2026
Verb
On Thursday, Agrella shared the first images of the firm’s new vision, which was unveiled at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen — the event started Wednesday and closes Friday. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 11 June 2026 Captain Jim’s Seafood Market & Restaurant, a no-frills spot that served fresh fish and shellfish in the city for 30 years, is closing for good. Connie Ogle june 11, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Adverb
Some lawmakers openly prodded Netanyahu on Monday to move closer to the US by seeking to bolster negotiations on winding down the war. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 June 2026 For Ramos’ future business partner, Isidro Hurtado, the crisis hit close to home. Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Noun
At the close of Kantamanto’s reopening ceremony, more than eight months after flames consumed acres of livelihoods, the crowd broke out in an impromptu dance party. Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026 The fans stood in lengthy security lines at this sprawling athletic complex for an up-close morning look at a team that isn't among the favorites, but has the backing of millions in a country where soccer has proliferated in popularity since the World Cup's last visit in 1994. ABC News, 8 June 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
Adjective
  • The supporting drama categories remain the most crowded acting races, but still shows the long-term decline, which is staggering.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
  • Fitzpatrick has pointed to the saloon’s string of viral controversies as a calling card in the crowded race.
    Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • An officer saved a missing boy from a near drowning on Friday after finding the youngster partially submerged, disoriented, and in immediate danger near the shoreline, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 13 June 2026
  • In recent weeks, Iran has dramatically escalated efforts to seal off its cache of near bomb-grade uranium, deliberately collapsing tunnels and booby-trapping entrances with explosive mines, according to five sources familiar with US intelligence.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Natalie Neysa Alund The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow 100-mile-long waterway in the Middle East and has been a point of key contention during the course of the war.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 June 2026
  • According to the home’s actual dimensions, the doorway (which didn’t exist when the family moved in) should dead-end to an external wall; instead, when Navidson opens the door, there’s a narrow hallway nearly ten feet long inside.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Food and drink The restaurant is intimate, with seating for 40, but the food punches way above its weight.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
  • The footage is chaotic, dreamlike, and profoundly unnerving as the young caregiver grows increasingly intimate with her elusive charge.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • For the next hour, pages turned until silent reading time made way for more conversation.
    Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
  • Many people wait until ideas feel perfectly polished before contributing, which often leads them to remain silent too long.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • The 7th Assembly District produced one of the region’s tightest races.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
  • Pelvic floor disorders can occur when these muscles and tissues are too weak or too tight or don’t facilitate the proper functioning of these organs for other reasons.
    Stacey Colino, Time, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • Before tacos spawned $17 brunchtime objets d’art and before Orange County’s dining scene started receiving some of the breathless national attention usually reserved for Los Angeles and San Francisco, Rafael De Anda was making and selling tacos from a truck in Santa Ana.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
  • There’s also much breathless appreciation of the fact that everything in the movie (like Summertime and Kwai) was real, giving the films an immersive quality that’s seldom equaled in the digital age.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • If blue-and-red jerseys and Chicago ballcaps are an accurate barometer, Cubs fans ruled — by a lot.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 11 June 2026
  • André and Alex worked with The Witness creators to ensure the show was accurate.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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