1
as in thin
being of less than usual width
found a narrow opening in the fence that he was able to squeeze through
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in small
not broad or open in views or opinions
a narrow person who thought that anyone who even owned a television had been morally corrupted by society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in limited
having distinct or certain limits
a play about human suffering, but in a narrower sense, also about the modern struggles of the working-class poor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a narrow gubernatorial contest, the outcome of which may depend upon a handful of votes
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in parochial
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints
tried to convince the narrow members of her family that there are many paths to a successful career that don't involve getting a university degree
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 narrow
Julia Manchester, The Hill, 15 May 2025
But here, in the narrows of the canyon, where Temescal Creek tickled the roots of sycamores and cooled the air beneath the heavy branches of valley oaks, Young lighted up with the enthusiasm of an amateur botanist.
—Greg Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Weighing just under 13 lbs., the zoo is asking visitors to help name the calf, with the shortlist narrowed down to Styx, Mars and Thor for people to cast their votes.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 10 July 2025
Holly Ramer, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
The class is slightly narrower than that sought by the plaintiffs, who originally included parents as plaintiffs.
—CBS News, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for narrow
Adjective
The legislation directs states to cover a portion of SNAP benefit costs, narrows eligibility requirements for the program, and aims to prevent the federal government from being able to increase monthly benefits in the future.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 15 May 2025
But here, in the narrows of the canyon, where Temescal Creek tickled the roots of sycamores and cooled the air beneath the heavy branches of valley oaks, Young lighted up with the enthusiasm of an amateur botanist.
—Greg Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Noun
Loop 101 was scheduled to be narrowed to two lanes in both directions between 59th and 75th avenues from 10 p.m. on Friday, July 11, to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, while the westbound Loop 101 frontage road was closed just west of 75th Avenue.
—Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Weighing just under 13 lbs., the zoo is asking visitors to help name the calf, with the shortlist narrowed down to Styx, Mars and Thor for people to cast their votes.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
The class is slightly narrower than that sought by the plaintiffs, who wanted to include parents, but attorneys said that wouldn’t make a material difference.
—Holly Ramer, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
The class is slightly narrower than that sought by the plaintiffs, who originally included parents as plaintiffs.
—CBS News, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for narrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrow
Adjective
-
Often, the first real cracks appear in prime borrowers who were stretched thin, quietly falling behind while headlines focus on everything else.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
While the headline-grabbing CEOs are interesting, hearing the stories of smaller companies is absolutely fascinating.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
The local government of the small and far-from-wealthy hometown of Pope Leo XIV has voted to acquire the former Robert Prevost’s childhood home as a future museum.—
Howard Husock,
National Review,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Typically support is limited, either by a sole that’s too rigid to go flat, a sole that’s too flexible for a safe heel, or a mechanism that lacks the ability to swap the heels.—
Yola Robert,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Space inside is limited, and this will likely be a very popular spot at Magic Kingdom.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
But a closer read shows the linguistic dance that big companies are engaged in.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
10 July 2025
-
One of those options is St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Brian Colbert ran on a parochial platform focused on garden-variety local issues.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
In his quest for a definitive biography of Joyce as a cosmopolitan artist, above the parochial fray, Ellmann downplayed Joyce’s interest in politics.—
Eric Bulson,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
The brand’s signature high-definition cardigans came depicting Hawaiian islands and secluded bays, making for beautiful pieces that could double as wearable postcards.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
3 July 2025
-
Daytime options also include 45-minute bay cruises aboard Pilot, which are $10 extra with purchase of general admission at 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Pell Grants The new law tightens eligibility rules for the Pell Grant program, the largest source of federal aid for low-income students.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
-
More than three years into Putin’s unprovoked war on Ukraine, the Kremlin’s political vice is tightening again.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
As Artaserse, Kim’s performance took some time to ripen on Friday, his voice sometimes vanishingly slender and lagging behind the orchestra in his first aria to Semira.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
-
Here again, binoculars will prove most beneficial in helping to find not only Pollux and Castor, but this exceedingly slender lunar sliver.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrow. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share