as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a hairbreadth victory, but a victory nevertheless
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
or hairsbreadth
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
just missed the bull's-eye by a hairbreadth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hairbreadth
Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Adjective
In the end, Cuellar and his corporate backers carried the day (one marked also by the Uvalde school massacre), albeit by a hairbreadth margin.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Noun
Should the electoral officials’ math hold up, the hairbreadth victory is likely to provide only limited comfort to Mr. del Mazo’s party.
—Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hairbreadth
Adjective
-
This was a narrow approach, aimed at providing vouchers for students in districts that were in receivership (a sort of financial takeover primarily for financial issues).—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
During the trial, Amélie testified that Depardieu grabbed her hips in a narrow corridor and started touching her, pointing to her buttocks, hip, and pubic area.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
The next year, shoe designer Roger Vivier saw Balenciaga’s bet and raised him a few inches, designing a thigh-thigh silhouette for Yves Saint Laurent’s 1963 collection in alligator leather.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
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According to the release, one of the individuals, Gabriel Jesus Santiago, 14, is a male with brown hair and brown eyes who stands 5 foot, 8 inches and weighs about 135 pounds.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Among the close friends and family celebrating were Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
After the close, discount retailer Miniso Group (9896 HK, MSO US) missed Q1 estimates while online travel agency Tongcheng (780 HK) beat analyst expectations for Q1.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Chen had another pair of kills down the stretch and capped the set with an ace for the narrow win.—
Tim Meehan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
-
Special teams ace/edge rusher DeAngelo Malone also would be a difficult cut.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The person said contractors are deeply embedded in FOIA processing across some federal agencies, with contracting staff handling nearly every step of the process: drafting acknowledgment letters, collecting and reviewing records, applying redactions, and preparing final responses.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2025
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Minneapolis agreed to substantial changes to its police department, including steps to rein in the use of force, bolster training and address discriminatory practices.—
Ernesto Londoño,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Noun
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Each suite has great amenities from a Nespresso Vertuo coffeemaker, a Dyson Supersonic hair dryer and Molton Brown toiletries.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
Ahead of the series premiere on May 29, Biel sat down with InStyle and explained why cutting her hair made sense for her portrayal of Chloe.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The alleged attack involved Combs grabbing Morgan by the neck and throwing a wooden hanger that hit her head, Morgan said.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
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Here’s How To Keep Them In Place There’s nothing more irritating than looking in the bathroom mirror only to notice that the beautiful design of your necklace is actually on the backside of your neck, while the clasp is sitting front and center.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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