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
-
On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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The plain and active meaning of the word cannot be diluted by its constriction, as the government would have it, to a narrow term of art.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The entire unit is about 15.1 inches in diameter and 5.3 inches thick (383.3 mm by 135.5 mm).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch keeping it away from the trunk.—
Dawn Pettinelli,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And Amanda Marsalis and April Blair are some of my closest friends now.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The new Charlotte Knights’ manager pitched for four MLB teams from 2010 to 2015, recording 30 saves as the closer for the Chicago White Sox in 2011.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Derek Bashford Carlsbad Boys volleyball Pounding six service aces as well as collecting eight kills, the senior led the red-hot Lancers (15 straight victories) to a key 25-20, 25-11, 31-29 victory over Torrey Pines in North County Coastal League action.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
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The Dodgers again avoided the worst but don’t know when their top relief ace from last October will be back.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While important steps had been taken to address the abuse scandals during his predecessor’s tenure, there was still much more the church needed to do.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Ball season returns with its glittering whirl of tiaras, tuxedos, and traditional steps rehearsed across generations.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Lead by the restorative properties of prickly pear oil, this rich mask helps restore the hair shaft, improve split ends, and achieve overall healthier hair.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2025
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As the real Del Rey stepped out in a crimson gown with her hair in perfect curls, phones shot into the air for the performance’s climax.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But their magnum opus was 1978’s Dub Housing, where Thomas shows off his collection of animal noises, grunts, yelps, and screeches, up to his neck in industrial synth-and-guitar factory noise.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
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Loading your audio article Police have arrested a suspect in the fatal slashing of a man in the neck during a clash inside an Upper West Side building, cops said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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