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Definition of narrownext
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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

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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

narrow

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noun

narrow

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verb

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
Adjective
The haunting and moving scenes lensed inside this narrow alcove-like space were all really shot on-location and make for mesmerizing viewing. Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026 Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil typically sails through the narrow waterway off Iran’s coast. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
Chargers win if: The Chargers’ margin for error narrows in Week 10 after their victories the past two weeks. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025 Dutch parliamentary election tests ruling far-right party Dutch voters cast ballots today in a parliamentary election in which a far-right party that led opinion polls for months has seen its advantage narrow into a three-horse race. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
The California governor’s race remains wide open, according to a new poll, roughly three months before a June primary that will narrow the field to two candidates. Benjamin Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026 Genealogy investigations have had major success stories Successfully using the DNA of distant family members to profile and narrow down suspects had an extraordinarily high-profile debut in 2018, when it was used to solve the cold case of the Golden State Killer. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for narrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrow
Adjective
  • But the size of the reserves means Zimbabwe’s foreign-exchange reserves would pay for only one and a half months’ worth of the country’s imports, a thin buffer compared with many peers that typically hold three months or more.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
  • How to achieve blurred nails Once her prep is complete, Novakovic completes her blurred nails using two thin coats of Manucurist Active Blur.
    Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Although discrepancies are smaller in data-rich regions such as Western Europe and the eastern United States, where robust local monitoring has kept projections more closely calibrated, the study identifies the West Coast of North America as a region where sea levels have also been underestimated.
    Marcos Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Violas have smaller flowers and stay shorter.
    Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Pezeshkian's message, seemingly recorded in a hurry, underlined the limited powers exercised by the theocracy's leaders over the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which controls the hundreds of ballistic missiles targeting Israel and other countries.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
  • As a redshirt freshman, Freeny has had to battle for playing time this season, going multiple stretches with limited minutes, including one minute of action during last week’s loss to Minnesota.
    Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The most appropriate action is to drive to the closest shelter available.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The virus can spread through close contact with someone who is infected, such as by sharing food or eating utensils.
    Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Any negative pushback in this moment will be interpreted as a small-minded and eminently self-serving response that puts parochial party interests above the interests of the country.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Democrats who opposed the bill, however, said the money would mainly go to private or parochial institutions and is part of the Republican caucus's efforts to direct money into private education.
    Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There are more than 12 billion oysters in Maryland bay waters alone.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Transfer remaining ingredients in slow cooker to a blender (including bay leaves).
    John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Set in 1970s America, as television tightens its grip on American culture, veteran anchorman Howard Beale unravels live on air.
    Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • These stronger winds are a sign of a tightening pressure gradient, which occurs as air pressure changes across the region.
    Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Field measurements reported in the study indicate the scorpion’s slender claws can close quickly enough to capture prey larger than its body.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
  • But field measurements reported in the study indicate the scorpion’s slender claws can close quickly enough to capture prey larger than its body.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrow. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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