CLOSE-IN Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

close in 1 of 2

verb

ˈklōz-

Definition of close in

as in to close

to come near or nearer the eagle closed in on its prey

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Over several hours, the American warships and supporting aircraft mounted a layered defense, firing their five-inch naval guns and their close-in weapon systems known as CIWS, officials said. — James Laporta, CBS News, 7 May 2026 The Bulwark is the tank of the party and focuses on close-in combat. — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026 This revealed that around 10% of stars like the sun host a close-in planet, validating findings made by TESS's exoplanet-hunting predecessor Kepler. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for close in

Recent Examples of Synonyms for close in

Verb

The race was called shortly after polls closed as Lamont led with nearly 67% of the votes and Elliott trailed, securing only 33%.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
City officials said the South Fulton Parks and Recreation Department was notified Tuesday about the test and closed the park out of an abundance of caution.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of close

Verb

In locations where the eclipse will occur around sunset, people may see Perseid meteors during totality, the minutes when the moon fully blocks the sun’s light, leaving a fiery ring and temporarily darkening the skies.

— Denise Chow, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Severe weather cut power Tuesday in the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana as perilous storms pummeled the region, darkening the sky and carrying extreme wind gusts across state lines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of darken

Adjective

Rather than trying to miniaturize the entire testing infrastructure into a small and convenient device, Biolyz uses a large, complex and expensive mass spectrometry technology.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Remember that a laptop is convenient, portable and excellent for school, but there is no room for growth or upgrades like a desktop.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of convenient

Verb

The report about the jet swap comes weeks after concerns about the safety of the new Qatar-gifted jet first emerged as the Ankara trip served as its international debut as the new Air Force One.

— Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Bay Area-founded Starbird and its signature chicken — tenders, wings, nuggets, sandwiches, salads, wraps and more — will be available in the coming months at that corner of Mowry Avenue and Fremont Boulevard, the company has confirmed.

— Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 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

At this point, the owners and the union are merely sparring, lobbing jabs back and forth without really engaging in true hand-to-hand combat.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Up to this point in the story, James Butler Hickok had already lived a life of adventure, not least of which included hand-to-hand combat with a bear.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

Definition of hand-to-hand

Adjective

This particular model also has a flashlight, which comes in handy in the most unexpected places, like walking back to your safari vehicle after an evening bush dinner.

— Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
The brass and woodwinds part of the band band’s lineup comes in handy as the group also takes on hit-laden Chicago’s jazz/pop/rock catalog as well.

— Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of handy

Browse Nearby Words

close-grained

close in

close-in

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Close in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20in. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of close in

verb

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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