1
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point
the team closed out the season with major losses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of
don't assume an attitude that closes out any possibility of a compromise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of close out
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Nicaragua was one pitch from closing out a 3-1 win, one pitch from dropping the Dutch to 0-2 in Pool D, one pitch from turning Sunday into a survival game.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
On Paul George’s early closeout, Anunoby swings the ball to Miles McBride, target-practice for a knockdown shooter in yet another breakout season in New York.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for close out
Verb
Returnee Sam Jacobson closed out a fabulous four-year run.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Nicaragua was one pitch from closing out a 3-1 win, one pitch from dropping the Dutch to 0-2 in Pool D, one pitch from turning Sunday into a survival game.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
Rudy Gobert picked up a technical foul and his fifth flagrant foul of the season — which will result in a one-game suspension against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday — for a reckless closeout on a 3 by Wembanyama.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
On Paul George’s early closeout, Anunoby swings the ball to Miles McBride, target-practice for a knockdown shooter in yet another breakout season in New York.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for close out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close out
Verb
-
The three-month meteorological winter period that just ended will be remembered for its wild extremes in temperature across the United States, including deadly, persistent polar blasts and winter storms in the East.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Diallo scored on a dunk, and Nikola Dzepina added a three to end the surge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That figure represents a 4%+ increase over 2024 and excludes long-term care costs entirely.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Costco’s ancillary and other businesses — like pharmacy, food courts, and travel — added 19 basis points of improvement on a reported basis, and 17 basis points excluding gas.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its Ras Tanura oil refinery, one of the world’s largest, after a drone strike.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Emirates has been forced to cancel thousands of flights as retaliatory strikes from Iran led the UAE to shut its airspace.—
Angus Whitley,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Argentina National Team captain joins Bay FC on a two-year contract through 2027 with a team option for 2028 and will be added to the club’s roster following receipt of her P-1 visa and international transfer clearance.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
While 16 vessels are waiting for clearance or instructions on their next move, 43 already diverted to alternate ports.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Alajuelense returned the favor, beating LAFC 2-1 at BMO Stadium a week later, but that wasn’t enough to prevent the Black & Gold from continuing on the road to finishing runners-up to León.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Legislators craft viral moments for television and social media, sharpen partisan talking points and prepare for the next race long before the current term is finished.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The directive banned local law enforcement from acting on warrants of removal and prohibited ICE agents from accessing Fairfax County police buildings.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
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When the war in Ukraine began in 2022, Kyiv banned weapons exports.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Oil storage tanks are filling up across the region, analysts say, since exports have all but stopped due to the Iranians effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 126-110 win over the Brooklyn Nets (15-47) on Thursday night at Kaseya Center to extend its winning streak to three games and close its three-game homestand at a perfect 3-0.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Indeed, some investment outfits have speculated that the Iran conflict presents an attractive buy-the-dip opportunity, with investors landing bargains at the height of geopolitical panic and (hopefully) seeing asset prices reinflate when the conflict ends in a month or so.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
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But Styles rarely lives up to his end of the bargain.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Close out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20out. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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