as in narrow escapes
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 calls
In September 2026, new Surface Movement Radars will be implemented, a technology that helps prevent close calls on airport surfaces.
—
Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 18 June 2026
It’s been fair to wonder if the difference between close calls and victories — his last was the American Express nearly five months ago — has been that tee-to-green game going from transcendent to only really good.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Residents should be able to see whether the technology leads to safer crossings, better bike routes, faster buses or fewer dangerous close calls.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Commercial aircraft and drones began having close calls around 2013, when drones first started to become popular.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
San Antonio’s run of never trailing the finals had some close calls over the years.
—Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Recently, several close calls have occurred at airports across the country.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
San Antonio’s run of never trailing in the finals had some close calls over the years.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
No doubt, many reading this have had their own close calls or are victims of wayward e-bikes.
—Michael Miller, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 18 June 2026
It’s been fair to wonder if the difference between close calls and victories — his last was the American Express nearly five months ago — has been that tee-to-green game going from transcendent to only really good.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Residents should be able to see whether the technology leads to safer crossings, better bike routes, faster buses or fewer dangerous close calls.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Commercial aircraft and drones began having close calls around 2013, when drones first started to become popular.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
San Antonio’s run of never trailing the finals had some close calls over the years.
—Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Recently, several close calls have occurred at airports across the country.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
San Antonio’s run of never trailing in the finals had some close calls over the years.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
No doubt, many reading this have had their own close calls or are victims of wayward e-bikes.
—Michael Miller, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close calls
close shaves
Noun
-
Villa rely on its revenue to push their limits, so going another year on the outside will mean player sales, budget cuts and very, very close shaves with financial sanctions.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The Torreys are accustomed to, pun intended, close shaves.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Close calls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20calls. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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