as in narrow escape
a barely successful escape from something undesirable
the doctor said I'd had a close call, and was lucky to be alive
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Recent Examples of close call
In May, the FAA barred the Army from flying helicopters near the Pentagon after a May 1 close call that forced two civilian planes to abort landings.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
In May, the FAA barred the Army from flying helicopters near the Pentagon after a May 1 close call that forced two civilian planes to abort landings.
—David Shepardson, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Make Each Encounter a Practice Session Make the most of every close call with game.
—The Editors, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Those mistakes had decided the last two games in the series — both close calls that KU lost.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close call
Reuters, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
In May, the FAA barred the Army from flying helicopters near the Pentagon after a May 1 close call that forced two civilian planes to abort landings.
—David Shepardson, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Make Each Encounter a Practice Session Make the most of every close call with game.
—The Editors, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Those mistakes had decided the last two games in the series — both close calls that KU lost.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close call
close shave
Noun
-
Our favorites helped our razors glide smoothly across the skin for an ultra-close shave, while aloe vera and almond oil soothed, hydrated, and enhanced the skin’s appearance — mitigating irritation.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Washington’s depth saved it from a close shave Sunday.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Close call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20call. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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