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
-
Inflation could feature heavily in midterm elections next year, as the Republican Party looks to defend narrow majorities in the House and Senate.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The meandering layout of Milan predates cars, so expect to get your steps in on the narrow and winding roads.—
Abbey Hudetz,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 5-foot-1-inch singer with a very big voice is due to give birth to her first child, a girl, in two weeks.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The 1-inch block heel provides a slight height boost while remaining as easy to walk in as flats.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump has previously suggested a deal was close.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The trainer visits Pegasus daily and is like the horse’s shadow during hospital visits, keeping a close eye to ensure the safety of Pegasus and those around him.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Fried was at 102 pitches, but on the other side of the field, Boston manager Alex Cora allowed his ace, Garrett Crochet, to throw 117.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Salazar gets some cool scenes that show the character’s prowess as a daredevil driver, a kickass fighter and an ace shooter.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But senior Biden administration officials saw it as a further step toward the dismantling of the nation’s constitutional democracy.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The first steps have been hard, but with a solid system and team buy-in, early-stage AI implementation is already a huge productivity booster.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What isn’t as easy to see, though, is that for all the hair-on-fire play once the ball is snapped, Hufanga is exactly the opposite between plays.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
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Attendees can also expect kid-friendly activities, including hair braiding, glow-in-the-dark face painting, accessory booths, photo booths, and giant inflatable mascots on the dance floor.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rosalía’s outfit otherwise consisted of a halter neck top and a thinly pleated midi skirt, which featured beige fabric layered beneath black.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
-
While the movie easily races from one scene to another at a break-neck pace, behind the scenes, the local production work was a massive undertaking, bringing together public officials from multiple city, county and federal agencies.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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