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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of close call
There have been several close calls involving aircraft in recent months.
—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Even that victory was a close call.
—
Gautam Mukunda,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
So no, blue, the A's probably aren't going to challenge a close call in the second inning of a game in June.
—
Zach Dean Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
20 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
See All Example Sentences for close call
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Even that victory was a close call.
—
Gautam Mukunda,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
So no, blue, the A's probably aren't going to challenge a close call in the second inning of a game in June.
—
Zach Dean Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
20 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
See All Example Sentences for close call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close call
close shave
Noun
-
The shaver’s gold-foil covers are hypoallergenic and allow for a close shave without harmful lacerations.
-
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.
Cite this Entry
“Close call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20call. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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