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
-
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
-
His other goal in his preceding 24 appearances — stabbed in from close range from a corner in another 6-0 Carabao Cup win, this time at Oxford United in round two — was mundane by comparison.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The Dalmatian's owner looks on and smile, filming the moment from her own phone at a closer distance.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Catcher Dillon Dingler was left trying to settle his frazzled ace.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Crochet, Boston's ace, will take the mound looking to get the Red Sox within arm's reach of clinching their own playoff spot.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Hence, the development is a major step for the nation to keep pace with and counter China’s growing submarine fleet, which is equipped with increasingly advanced technologies.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike your everyday shampoo, a purifying shampoo is designed to tackle buildup from hair products and environmental residue, giving your scalp health a boost and prepping your strands for shine and softness.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Reyes, who, like Phifer, is from New York, has yet to film any scenes with him but did get a chance to meet in the show's hair-and-makeup room.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Safety Bryan Cook flashed often before leaving the game with a late neck injury, and Chamarri Conner also continued to show improvement after a rough opening week.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Some crane their necks to catch a better look at the bird perched on top of the tree.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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