close in 1 of 2

verb

ˈklōz- How to pronounce close in (audio)
Definition of close innext
1
as in to close
to come near or nearer the eagle closed in on its prey

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to darken
to grow dark with evening closing in we knew we had to find shelter fairly soon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

close-in

2 of 2

adjective

as in convenient

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 in
Adjective
For those looking for a more urban experience, North Beach or McGee Beach offers a close-in getaway. — Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 28 July 2026 An international team of researchers has created the most comprehensive look at flaring in a star with a close-in planet. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2026 For city fishers at close-in locations, following a few guidelines will help protect the water, its fish and the overall tradition for future generations, experts said. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 2 June 2026 The close-in Washington suburbs are home to a handful of beautiful private clubs — all of them expensive. — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for close in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close in
  1. close
  2. darken
  3. convenient
  4. come
  5. dusk
  6. hand-to-hand
  7. come up
  8. handy
Verb
  • The Associated Press called the race for Biss within an hour after the polls closed Tuesday evening.
    — Russell Lissau, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Trump, reportedly watching returns from the White House, criticized Fox News coverage before most polls had closed.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of close
Verb
  • Cook, stirring often, until butter browns and nuts have slightly darkened, 6–8 minutes.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • With all the scoring, the skies darkened to the point where the teams couldn’t continue.
    — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of darken
Adjective
  • But even the hardest-to-please folks are usually thrilled with a techy gift that makes their life easier, more convenient or just more fun.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The hardest part is often matching the format to the problem rather than simply choosing what’s most convenient.
    — Karen Koehler, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of convenient
Verb
  • Food trend experts are betting the coming year will bring it even closer to your stovetop.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
  • For the first time in a dozen years, a leading OB-GYN group has updated its guidance on managing hot flashes, night sweats, sleep changes and other disruptive symptoms that often come with menopause.
    — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of come
Verb
  • With minimal humidity, near-perfect clear-sky frequency and vast empty horizons, Namibia offers the kind of slow, immersive darkness that makes dusking feel less like a trend and more like a return to something ancient.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
  • The park is open from daylight to dusk for visitors and 24/7 for campers.
    — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of dusk
Adjective
  • Ties between the two countries remain strained over their long-running Himalayan border dispute, which erupted into a deadly skirmishes in 2020 that saw soldiers from both sides use rocks and iron rods in brutal hand-to-hand combat.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Most of the skeletons found in Stirling’s chapel had the sorts of wounds archaeologists expected to find on siege victims, like sword cuts, blunt trauma, and the wear and tear of hand-to-hand combat.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of hand-to-hand
Verb
  • Now, Newsom is termed out of the governor’s mansion early next year and is reportedly laying the groundwork for a presidential run in 2028, where his track record on homelessness will almost inevitably come up on the campaign trail.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The Cheesecake Factory has not commented publicly on Obama’s remark, and the topic did not come up on the company’s earnings call.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of come up
Adjective
  • That’s where the lizards’ unusual squirting mechanism comes in handy.
    — RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Just remember that saving space doesn’t make your bag lighter, so a luggage scale is still worth keeping handy.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of handy

Browse Nearby Words

close-grained
close in
close-in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Close in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20in. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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