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
-
Farmers and agricultural experts who spoke with Newsweek recently said that tariffs could further strain the sector's already narrow margins, both through the negative impact on commodity prices and potential retaliatory actions damaging their exports.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Currently, Republicans control the House and Senate, but the margins are narrow.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
5 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
-
Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches with or without a handle or strap.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
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
-
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
-
Injuries hit hard, and an ace’s injury comeback hit many snags.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
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
-
The teaser trailer reveals Anna has swapped places with Harper, while Tess has swapped with Harper's soon-to-be step sister Lily (Sophia Hammons), who is the daughter of Anna's fiancé Eric, played by Manny Jacinto.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
-
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
Noun
-
The 19-inch lanyard can be slipped on and off your neck without mussing your hair as well.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Acne causes pimples on various parts of the body, such as the face, neck, chest, and back.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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