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
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On closer inspection, Capital Economics said Beijing’s policy is actually narrower in scope than initially feared.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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The Hornbein and Japanese Couloirs are defined by their steep, icy, and narrow conditions and the high risk of avalanches.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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How To Dig Up Dahlia Tubers Cut back the dead foliage to about 4 inches above ground to prevent diseases and pests and make removing the clump from the soil easier.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
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Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight-Leg Pants The inseam options include 26, 28, 30, and 32 inches, and Quince’s size guide offers recommendations based on height.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What to Know For Dedication Night, a family member or close friend will join each celebrity for their dedication dance.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
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The Andromeda Galaxy The Andromeda Galaxy lies almost directly overhead in the hours surrounding midnight on October nights, presenting a perfect opportunity to observe the Milky Way's closest neighbor without the atmospheric interference that comes from being close to the horizon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Garrett Crochet is locked under contract through 2030 and pitched like a true ace.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The Mariners took both games started by Tarik Skubal, the Tigers’ growling ace who lost twice to Seattle in the regular season, too.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The product marks Kohler’s first step under its new wellness division, Kohler Health, which aims to bring medical-grade insights into everyday routines.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Both characters struggle with the weight of their guilt, but where Cole has fallen deeper into cruelty, Grasso takes the first step on a path to redemption.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Trump also complained about the way his hair looked on the cover of Time magazine.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
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The Roomba's double-sided brush mounts gradually build up a tangle at either end, eventually requiring you to pull the ends off the roller and dig all the hair out.—
Loz Blain
October 14,
New Atlas,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The living room, encased in dark mahogany panelling, looked onto a drab alleyway filled with trash bins, and the apartment’s two floors were connected by a narrow spiral staircase that risked putting parents in mind of a broken neck.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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