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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
Career growth inside companies still follows a narrow script—progress often defined by vertical movement alone.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
In 2024, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Apache Stronghold in a narrow 6-5 decision.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Parts of Milwaukee saw more than 10 inches of rain in less than 24 hours in what is classified as a 1,000-year flood event.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
According to the South Florida Water Management District, Palm Beach County has had 65% of normal rainfall for the year thus far — more than 12 inches below normal.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Read More: The Real Danger of the Trump-Putin Summit At the press conference, Putin talked about how close Russia was to America (shades of Sarah Palin) and claimed that Russian trade with American has increased by 20%.—
Richard Stengel,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Banished to the bullpen after struggling in the starting rotation, Montas trails only closer Edwin Díaz as the Mets’ most expensive reliever.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Injuries hit hard, and an ace’s injury comeback hit many snags.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The Sun Devils outscored the Longhorns 21-7 in that second half, pushing the game into double overtime, thanks to a one-two punch from the 20-year-old quarterback and their ace running back, Cam Skattebo.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Sending a follow-up email that confirms everyone’s commitments and outlines next steps.—
Bihag Karnani,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
But that doesn't mean Statehouse Democrats won't take other steps to protest redistricting if Braun calls a special session, Pierce said.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The props are all there, the T-shirts, the hair, the tattoos, the sunglasses, the fingerless gloves, the AC/DC and Megadeth posters, MTV.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Commercially produced l-cysteine is primarily derived from duck feathers and the hair of humans and hogs.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Acne causes pimples on various parts of the body, such as the face, neck, chest, and back.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
12 Aug. 2025
-
This fast-absorbing spray delivers serious hydration and nourishment from the neck down.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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