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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
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
But playing songs associated with his close friend — the one who had invited the teenage Weir into the jug band that became the Dead — remained daunting. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026 Those who made the cut were ushered down by freight elevator into the close-quarters space, which remained shoulder-to-shoulder packed deep into the night. Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Obviously, this development is bad for Illinois, especially the northwest suburbs of Chicagoland, which loses tax revenue and fun action aplenty, and the optics of not closing the deal also reflects poorly on Pritzker and might well haunt his presidential bid. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026 Welty's death is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit against DCS in which family members allege that DCS prematurely closed three of six anonymous complaints brought against Kinsleigh's mother, Toni McClure, who has since been charged with murder and criminal confinement. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Play invites honest feeling as the unconscious Moon enters your 5th House of Romance, highlighting simple moments of joy that bring hearts closer. Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026 The twists verge on too cruel, the siblings too close, and for some people watching, the story will just be too much. David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Chaparrals season comes to a close with a record of 15-12. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026 The Hulu showed branched off from Carola Lovering’s book after season one, and it had been widely assumed that the show would come to a close after its third season. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • The booking reinforces the festival’s pivot toward industry-defining names in an increasingly crowded festival field.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The crowded field has some Democrats worried about the possibility of both Hilton and Bianco making it into the runoff, shutting out the party that has controlled the Governor’s Office since 2011 if Democrats split the vote.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The crater, which is 600 miles (965 kilometers) wide, represents a key transition region between the near and far sides of the moon.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Coconut Chocolate Almond Cookie Head to your nearest Costco bakery to stock up on Coconut Chocolate Almond Cookies.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The goal was for the GOP to hold onto a narrow House majority in the face of political headwinds that typically favor the party out of power in midterms.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The narrow waterway, just 21 miles wide, serves as a pinch point for 20 million barrels of crude every day, about one-fifth of global production.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The spa The on-site spa is small and intimate, with just a few treatment beds, which makes booking in advance highly recommended.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
  • His role is to capture those intimate moments just seconds after a performance has finished, becoming the first camera operator in Olympic history to be allowed onto the ice.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The first call for help was a silent text message from an emergency beacon, mobilizing a small army of rescuers dispatched from different directions.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Despite being a quick walk from downtown Palm Springs, the Historic Tennis Club is snoozy and near-silent—perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • What really matters is if the tech can be scaled, is energy-dense enough to complete, and can prove cheap at an industrial scale.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Although this pencil is the cheapest of the bunch, the formula lasts and lasts.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet in the final, breathless minute of an already dizzying afternoon, everything came undone for USC in a stunning, 71-70 loss to Oregon that defied explanation.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The Bulls were on the front foot with the league’s recent trend toward up-tempo offenses, setting a pace in the 2024-25 season that ultimately matched the standard for the NBA’s current breathless style of play.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • While accurate, these systems aren't perfect.
    Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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