close 1 of 8

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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

2 of 8

verb (1)

1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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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3
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

3 of 8

adverb

close

4 of 8

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

5 of 8

noun (2)

close (down)

6 of 8

verb (2)

as in to close
to stop the operations of the coal mine was closed down in the 1930s

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

close (off)

7 of 8

verb (3)

as in to guard
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point museum officials closed off the west wing after the fire

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

closedown

8 of 8

noun (3)

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
Meanwhile, her closest friends included her cousin Melissa Perry and Lauryn's boyfriend's mom, Jill McKenny. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025 The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
New York won a series over Toronto last weekend to close that season series. Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 The whole Paramount ordeal happened after nominations voting had already closed. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Jihan peers closer at these images, now sensing in some of them that her father seems preoccupied, as if already aware of the tragic fate that would befall him. Leila Latif, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025 Taking the time at the end of the day to connect as a family and talk about your ‘rose’ and ‘thorn’ at dinner can be a wonderful way to bring everyone closer. Janine Henni, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Even with the loss of Adam, the Padres’ pecking order in late-and-close games is clear. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025 The Burning Man topples to the ground at the close of the festival in Nevada in 2004. Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
During the closedown period, the amount of sand taken from the beach will be lowered to a maximum of 240,000 tons a year from an average of almost 300,000 that state regulators say had been taken out over the past three decades. Jim Carlton, WSJ, 13 July 2017 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • On crowded factory floors, machines must share space with each other and with obstacles while working at high speed.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The evening included readings of erotic poetry by James Massiah and Adult Entertainment, sensual cocktails canapés by Heal Goblin, as well as beers and cans of water for those who couldn’t get into the crowded venue that poured out onto the street.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Almost as concerning as the calamity in the top of the second inning was the near-disaster that happened in the bottom half, as Will Smith took a foul tip off the back of his right hand and exited the game a half-inning later.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Those reports come ahead of Friday’s big jobs report, which will determine the near-term outlook for a stock market that has been on edge.
    Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • They’re also made with arch support and a toe box that’s not too narrow or crammed, per the brand, plus the rubber sole offers a nice cushioned platform with each step.
    Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, the outcomes could shape the balance of power heading into 2026.
    Grace Sandman, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Premiering at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, BRATS offers an intimate look at the group's cultural impact in films such as The Breakfast Club (1985), Back to the Future (1985) and Pretty in Pink (1986), as well as behind-the-scenes footage and promotional clips.
    Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Through these events, the collective bridges intimate gatherings with cultural institutions, extending their commitment to visibility and care.
    Essence, Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez appears destined for free agency as contract talks are reportedly completely silent.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • As foreign dignitaries descend in Beijing this week, the conflicting narratives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a reminder that eight decades after Japan's surrender, the guns may be silent, but the battle over the legacy of the war is far from over.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But that cheaper investment has largely been eviscerated, according to a cadre of sports bankers CNBC interviewed.
    Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Travelers can snag cheap flights to explore New York in September and October.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The first few minutes of the film are a breathless, almost wordless introduction to the Otherlands, with Scarlet trapped under rotting hands clamoring to keep her there.
    Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
  • There have been no breathless interviews about wedding plans or a tour hiatus.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have developed aerial robots that fly directly into the smoke, gathering data that could make forecasts far more accurate.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
    Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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