as in narrow escape
a barely successful escape from something undesirable
the passengers in the jeep had a close shave when a mine exploded just a few yards away
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Recent Examples of close shave
The floating, vibrating head gave me a really close shave, especially with my shaving cream.
—
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 16 May 2025
Their characters have had plenty of close shaves, although most didn't involve razors.
—Chris Cosgrove, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Cartridge razors feature disposable cartridges, where two to six blades are tightly spaced for a quick, close shave.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 27 Mar. 2025
The metal of the razor is protected by a ceramic guard, ensuring there’s no tugging or cutting the skin while still allowing for a close shave.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 1 Mar. 2025
The metal of the razor is protected by a ceramic guard, ensuring there’s no tugging or cutting the skin while still allowing for a close shave.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 1 Mar. 2025
Looking Ahead: The Anteaters survived an extremely close shave with a talented UC Santa Barbara team last Thursday to stay alive in the at-large picture.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Both losses were close shaves, 51-47 to T.F. South and 45-42 to Oak Lawn.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Safety razors and straight razors are quite easy to shave with (and get you a close shave), but there is a small learning curve.
—Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 16 May 2025
Their characters have had plenty of close shaves, although most didn't involve razors.
—Chris Cosgrove, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Cartridge razors feature disposable cartridges, where two to six blades are tightly spaced for a quick, close shave.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 27 Mar. 2025
The metal of the razor is protected by a ceramic guard, ensuring there’s no tugging or cutting the skin while still allowing for a close shave.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 1 Mar. 2025
The metal of the razor is protected by a ceramic guard, ensuring there’s no tugging or cutting the skin while still allowing for a close shave.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 1 Mar. 2025
Looking Ahead: The Anteaters survived an extremely close shave with a talented UC Santa Barbara team last Thursday to stay alive in the at-large picture.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Both losses were close shaves, 51-47 to T.F. South and 45-42 to Oak Lawn.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Safety razors and straight razors are quite easy to shave with (and get you a close shave), but there is a small learning curve.
—Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close shave
close call
Noun
-
The incident is one of many close calls, go-around and aviation accidents that has prompted calls for changes to air travel in the US and heightened public anxiety around flying.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
-
Eventually, after a few close calls, tragedy strikes.—
Malcolm Forbes,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Close shave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20shave. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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