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Definition of closenext
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as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors the election results were so close that the votes had to be recounted

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close

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verb

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as in to shut
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening be sure to close the gate when you leave

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as in to close (down)
to stop the operations of the merchant will close the store if business doesn't improve

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as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll close the assembly with the singing of our national anthem

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close

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adverb

close

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noun (1)

as in courtyard
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls) a garden in a close at the center of the complex

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close

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noun (2)

closeness

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noun (3)

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as in proximity
the state or condition of being near we were surprised by the closeness of everything to our downtown loft

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of close
Adjective
Bates said that while the show is reality TV, her experience and her close connection to God are the real deal. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026 Clearly, a close association with two powerhouse founders isn’t the only thing that the Lemme x Kylie Cosmetics Skin Glaze Gummies have going for them. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
The governor has called for legalizing marijuana and taxing skill games, which would close some of that gap. Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 But a flood in the Emanuel Synagogue space last fall forced the museum to again close its doors. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
And the team signed closer Pete Fairbanks to beef up the back end of a bullpen that was relied upon a lot last season (Miami’s 631 1/3 innings pitched by relievers were the fifth-most in MLB). Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026 The players will join their respective teams for a portion of camp and return to Glendale as the Sox inch closer and closer to the start of the regular season. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
The filing period for mayoral candidates in the June 2 primary closes at noon on Saturday. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026 Kuntz’s only competition in the tight end room will be Cole Turner, who signed his futures contract immediately after the Dolphins’ season came to a close. Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
As the boys grew, that closeness only deepened, and eventually, her father made a decision that changed the family’s daily life. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026 There’s a risk of getting gummed up in the noticing stage, too taken with the complicated pleasures of textual closeness to move on to the necessary next analytical steps. Katie Kadue, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • Vying for a parking spot on a crowded city street after a snowstorm has long felt like going to battle, and now there's a harrowing twist.
    Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • But a crowded Democratic field increases the chances that two Republicans and no Democrats make it past the June primary.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The cells achieve an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, placing them broadly in line with lithium iron phosphate batteries and positioning them for practical, near-term use rather than experimental niches, reports InsideEVs.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • That said, the plan is to incorporate the co-viewing methodology in advance of the 2026-27 broadcast season, which means the NFL’s TV ratings should continue to grow—even after this year’s near-record audience improved by 10%.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Experts believe the crown’s flexible mount was strained when thieves wrenched it from its display through a narrow slot cut by the angle grinder, according to a report by the Louvre.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • While investigators continue to evaluate the validity of the notes, some Americans may wonder if the Bitcoin address would be enough to find the culprit or at least narrow the search for the kidnapper.
    Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Austin is offering everything from la Madeleine’s chocolate-strawberry bakery boards to Azul’s candlelit rooftop cabanas, including intimate prix-fixe dinners and playful donut boat adventures.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Creating a more romantic atmosphere at home can transform your space into a cozy, intimate retreat.
    Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • And then there's Reinhardt's sinister robot sidekick Maximilian, a silent, malevolent presence who has no qualms about slicing up humans with his Swiss Army Knife-esque collection of torture devices.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • For those asking whether the Heat would prioritize minutes for its young players after Thursday’s silent trade deadline, 19-year-old guard Kasparas Jakucionis did not play on Friday despite being healthy and in uniform.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Both Szakin and Zuleta agree that walking is one of the best—and cheapest—ways to take it all in.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
  • At European resorts specifically, renting a week’s worth of gear is often cheaper (and easier) than checking your skis and boot bags onto international flights.
    Erik Buckingham, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • After a few breathless seconds, the man regains his composure.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In the minute-long spot, Scott commands a room of soldiers — among them Tom Holland’s Telemachus and Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus — before launching into a breathless retelling of Odysseus, the Trojan War and the infamous trick that brought Troy down.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Jennifer Sangalang, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
  • In the past year, the company has added two new integrations to provide users with more accurate data from their Oura ring, as well as 14 new features addressing, among other things, pregnancy and cumulative stress.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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