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close 1 of 5

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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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

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

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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 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 5

verb

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 5

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 5

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 5

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

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

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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
Three families who are very close friends struggle daily with the teenagers at home. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026 Oh, and the doors open and close softly at the touch of a button. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
Between 12% and 20% of all sales managers will help an associate close a sale, according to prior research. — Daniel E. Chavez, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 Prosecutors and the defense rested their cases after closing arguments concluded on Thursday. — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Adverb
In future studies, the team hopes to look even closer at how frogs acquire protective skin microbiomes from the natural environment, with the goal of safeguarding tropical habitats that support the beneficial microbes. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026 Fans will be hoping for a match that closer reflects the 2026 Bronze Medal match rather than the final given the 6-4 goalfest that played out between the Three Lions and France in Miami. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
Along with family-friendly activities, Scout Motors is providing an up-close look at its newest concept vehicles alongside several vintage Scouts from the original 1960s and 1970s production run. — Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026 As of now, listing and trading of Class B common stock will end as of the close of the market on October 5 and begin on the NYSE the next day. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 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
  • But, Barrera and Shaw, who registered the highest vote percentages in a crowded primary, have polar opposite political leanings and very different priorities for the state schools role.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The two of them spent the rest of the night pressed together in the crowded bar, shouting at each other to be heard over the sound of drunk youth.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of crowded
Adjective
  • The approach avoids conventional wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and near-field communication, which can struggle to transmit signals through human tissue.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • A couple months after the framework announcement, Mills says, he was caught completely off guard when Booker’s staff sent him a copy of a draft bill that sought to turn the framework into near-term legislation.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of near
Adjective
  • If truly transformational donors must remain a narrow exception because their philanthropy creates opportunities for thousands of students, say so openly and make that exception exceedingly rare.
    — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Glen Arbor to Traverse City On the Leelanau Peninsula, M-22 squeezes onto a narrow isthmus between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, landing in the resort community of Leland.
    — Mike Norton, Midwest Living, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • More than 70 people who bought, owned or were recorded with smart glasses have sued the company, alleging in one lawsuit filed this year that intimate images were exposed to contract workers tasked with training artificial intelligence.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • What begins as an intimate portrait of an enigmatic felon becomes a mind-bending three-year journey into the abyss.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of intimate
Adjective
  • Confession has also been a way for artists to seize authority from systems that preferred them silent, decorative, or safely explained.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Each signature shoe was made the silent main character of a short movie.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • If Trump does push ahead, his main cheerleaders will be GOP candidates in tight races this fall who are eager to market more ideas to lower costs before the midterms.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Broader cultural adoption driven by testimonials like Smith’s, and tighter clinical guardrails as physicians push back on unsupervised extended fasts.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Rodriguez was still breathless during the post dance interviews.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Suspended against the luminous moon, the eagle becomes a timeless presence in the cold, breathless vastness of the alpine night.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of breathless
Adjective
  • Still, drugmakers are increasingly homing in on narrower and potentially more accurate drug targets as science reveals more of cancer's remarkable molecular diversity.
    — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Relevant facts can be included to help create an accurate account.
    — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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