close 1 of 5

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

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noun (2)

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
Orioles closer Félix Bautista then put the Yankees, who went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on, down in the ninth. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025 Traders are also keeping a close eye on trade developments or escalation of tensions between the U.S. and China. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Property of the week: Spacious condominium in building designed by renowned architect CT lake swimming area closed due to algae in 2024 faces a new issue this year. Cyndy Etler, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025 The first period ended with the Cavaliers ahead 43-17, with the Heat that close only with Davion Mitchell converting a 40-foot 3-pointer just before the first-period buzzer. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2025
Adverb
As the end of the draft crept closer, Bridges started shifting his focus more toward potentially just finding the best fit through free agency. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025 The friends first met on the set of Wild ’N Out in 2017 and their friendship grew closer two years later on the set of The Dirt in 2019. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 25 Apr. 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 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • This sustainable approach stems from her upbringing in a crowded household with three siblings.
    Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The most crowded trade in April was gold, according to Bank of America’s survey, breaking a two-year streak of the most crowded trade being the Magnificent Seven tech stocks.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 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
  • Spotlights provide a narrower beam of light that is better for seeing long distances.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Galego’s sensuous, intimate paintings speak loudly as the artist herself engages viewers with a soft, ethereal demeanor, underscoring the dreamy otherworldliness of her work.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Living In Wisdom takes the reader down an intimate path of seeking to understand specific practices that can lead us to our higher selves.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even more telling, there was virtually no difference in data consumption, battery use, and background activity between the audio room tests and the silent room tests.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The trick now is knowing where to go and which Muay Thai boxing schools, silent monasteries, or health spas to choose.
    Lee Cobaj, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Be careful not to let in too much moisture to avoid any mildew or mold developing on your mattress.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • And Martin says the uncertainty about insurance rates is yet another good reason to be careful on the road.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 18 Apr. 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.
    Emily DeLetter, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Retailers often struggle with data silos, inconsistent quality, and integration issues, Sheridan says, which complicate accurate analysis in addition to concerns around consumer privacy.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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