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
Ryall noted that among this year’s choices there were a number of close calls.
—
Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2025
One of the most serious close calls was in March at Chicago's Midway International Airport, where a Southwest Airlines jet aborted landing and performed a go-around after a business jet entered the runway without authorization.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
No injuries or close calls were reported.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2025
Almost every time there’s a close call the player comes up twirling his finger, beseeching his coach to ask for a review.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close call
Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2025
One of the most serious close calls was in March at Chicago's Midway International Airport, where a Southwest Airlines jet aborted landing and performed a go-around after a business jet entered the runway without authorization.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
No injuries or close calls were reported.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2025
Almost every time there’s a close call the player comes up twirling his finger, beseeching his coach to ask for a review.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 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 17 Oct. 2025.
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