more or less

adverb

Definition of more or lessnext
1
as in almost
very close to but not completely the lot is 16 acres more or less

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretty
to some degree or extent most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in approximately
close to but not exactly the box weighs 60 pounds more or less

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of more or less Photons of different infrared wavelengths and intensities excite different electronic transitions, moving an electron between discrete energy levels within the dot, rather than just producing more or less of a single signal. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 The issue, according to our findings, is not whether students spend more or less time using technology. — Janice Mak, Fortune, 31 July 2026 That more or less only leaves outfielder Carlos Cortes as a likely trade candidate. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026 The shell of a good- sized adult abalone is more or less impregnable to most of the kelp forest’s predators, too strong and too thick for penetration. — Literary Hub, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for more or less
Recent Examples of Synonyms for more or less
  1. almost
  2. pretty
  3. approximately
  4. practically
  5. quite
  6. about
  7. nearly
  8. relatively
Adverb
  • Get ready for a day that feels almost as wild as the land itself.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The franchise that would redefine reality television began almost by accident.
    — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of almost
Adverb
  • Ward and Tate could build a great rapport in training camp and still have a pretty middling start because the rest of the roster just isn’t very good yet.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Current satellite products reveal a pretty significant plume of Saharan dust throughout the basin.
    — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • By adjusting the electron-trapping layer, the researchers could tune the device’s current recovery time across an approximately fivefold range.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2026
  • That changed during Family Night, when Green Bay had some of its younger players and newcomers do live tackling for approximately 10 plays late in practice.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • The two were practically joined at the hip, so much so that Weaver, who doesn’t drink much coffee, would go with Holmes to try new coffee shops on the road, something closer Devin Williams can’t help but laugh about now.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • For many years, this type of direct measurement was not practically available using conventional technologies.
    — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of practically
Adverb
  • But none of the more precise terms quite roll off the tongue.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • That’s true even as there’s been a steady clip of cyberattacks on the United States and other countries, some of them quite alarming, and even as a new, more powerful AI model is released by an American or Chinese lab seemingly every week.
    — Jen Easterly, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • The trial begins with jury selection Monday and is expected to last about a month.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • How to Clean a Candle Jar Once jarred candles have about 1/2 inch of wax left, stop burning the candles to ensure the jars don’t break.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • Mamdani has been making trips to firehouses most impacted by losses on 9/11, a spokesperson told CNN, visiting eight on Staten Island as well as FDNY Rescue 1 in Manhattan, which lost nearly half its company at the Twin Towers.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Around 70,000 people used the city’s designated Seine swimming areas in July, according to Paris City Hall, compared with nearly 100,000 during the entire summer last year, suggesting growing public interest in reclaiming the river for recreation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of nearly
Adverb
  • Muluk Spa is relatively compact with serene treatment rooms illuminated by flickering candle-like lights.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Though less volatile, median measures are relatively slow to respond to inflation shocks.
    — David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of relatively

Browse Nearby Words

more
more or less
moreover
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“More or less.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/more%20or%20less. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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