1
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point
the team closed out the season with major losses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of
don't assume an attitude that closes out any possibility of a compromise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of close out
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Nicaragua was one pitch from closing out a 3-1 win, one pitch from dropping the Dutch to 0-2 in Pool D, one pitch from turning Sunday into a survival game.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
David Moin, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Rudy Gobert picked up a technical foul and his fifth flagrant foul of the season — which will result in a one-game suspension against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday — for a reckless closeout on a 3 by Wembanyama.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for close out
Verb
Returnee Sam Jacobson closed out a fabulous four-year run.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Nicaragua was one pitch from closing out a 3-1 win, one pitch from dropping the Dutch to 0-2 in Pool D, one pitch from turning Sunday into a survival game.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
If Gordon Brothers, or some other third party, conducts a closeout sale at Saks, concessions don’t have to participate.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Rudy Gobert picked up a technical foul and his fifth flagrant foul of the season — which will result in a one-game suspension against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday — for a reckless closeout on a 3 by Wembanyama.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for close out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close out
Verb
-
These signals intensified recently when Kast abruptly ended the transition process after a clash with outgoing Boric over a project to install a submarine cable to connect Chile and China.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Voting for the Oscars ended March 5, possibly giving members of the academy just enough time to reconsider the slate of nominees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The outcome sets the stage for an April hearing in which attorneys for Tyler Robinson will make their case to exclude TV cameras, microphones and photographers from the courtroom.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The March 24 debate will feature six candidates but exclude every Democrat of color.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its Ras Tanura oil refinery, one of the world’s largest, after a drone strike.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Emirates has been forced to cancel thousands of flights as retaliatory strikes from Iran led the UAE to shut its airspace.—
Angus Whitley,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The project is currently funded through the preliminary engineering and environmental clearance stages with federal and state funds.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Poor Space Planning Awkward door swings, insufficient clearance, poor storage options, or improper placement of vanities and toilets make any bathroom feel cramped and inconvenient.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Alajuelense returned the favor, beating LAFC 2-1 at BMO Stadium a week later, but that wasn’t enough to prevent the Black & Gold from continuing on the road to finishing runners-up to León.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Legislators craft viral moments for television and social media, sharpen partisan talking points and prepare for the next race long before the current term is finished.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The directive banned local law enforcement from acting on warrants of removal and prohibited ICE agents from accessing Fairfax County police buildings.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
-
When the war in Ukraine began in 2022, Kyiv banned weapons exports.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The decision closed a flashpoint case that has bitterly divided Israel since the soldiers were arrested in 2024 at the notorious Sde Teiman military prison, prompting anger from members of the far-right government and hard-line ultranationalists who violently overran the prison in protest.—
JULIA FRANKEL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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On Thursday, Iran’s new Supreme Leader said that his country would keep closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane through which about a fifth of the world’s oil flows, and more vessels in the Persian Gulf were attacked, including two oil tankers that were set ablaze off the coast of Iraq.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Indeed, some investment outfits have speculated that the Iran conflict presents an attractive buy-the-dip opportunity, with investors landing bargains at the height of geopolitical panic and (hopefully) seeing asset prices reinflate when the conflict ends in a month or so.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
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But Styles rarely lives up to his end of the bargain.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Close out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20out. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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