as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a hairbreadth victory, but a victory nevertheless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
-
The 2026 battle for the Senate Republicans currently control the U.S. Senate 53-47, a narrow majority that has nonetheless helped shepherd GOP priorities through Congress along party lines.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
The class approved in New Hampshire is slightly narrower than that sought by the plaintiffs, who wanted to include parents, but attorneys said that wouldn't make a material difference.—
HOLLY RAMER,
arkansasonline.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Scheffler made eight birdies on another wild afternoon of weather at Royal Portrush, and his 15-foot attempt on the 18th stopped inches short of another.—
Doug Ferguson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 July 2025
-
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are likely.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
Even though Buxton learned he’d been invited Sunday, and Ryan and closer Jhoan Duran were snubbed, Baldelli waited several days to announce the center fielder’s participation to the team.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
The figure surpasses that of the closest rival, China, which had 317 companies represented.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
There aren’t a lot of prospects who might turn into a staff ace, someone regularly pitching into the seventh inning with his best stuff.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
-
As another run scored, Roberts came walking out of the dugout to give the team’s season-long ace an unimaginably early hook.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Taking their mission a step beyond, a portion of every purchase goes to nonprofits that are dedicated to supporting survivors of human trafficking.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 July 2025
-
The hotel is only steps away from Asteria beach, the most famous swimming spot in the port.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
There’s no denying ingrown hairs are a pain—especially around the bikini line—but the best ingrown hair treatments can soothe irritation and, with consistent use, help prevent them from showing up at all.—
Angela Trakoshis,
Allure,
19 July 2025
-
With Lenie being small for her age and both girls having strikingly curly hair, they were jokingly described as twins.—
Karla Perez,
Hartford Courant,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
He was found unresponsive in his cell, lying on his side with his jumpsuit tied around his neck, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
20 July 2025
-
Women were slightly more likely than men to choose less common descriptors like fullness and indigestion, and believe that pain could present in the jaw, neck, or upper back – areas that women more frequently report pain during actual heart attacks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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