1
2
as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
the incessant busyness of the family next-door makes us look like we live in near retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in living
closely resembling the object imitated
the dress is made from a near silk that would fool anyone but an expert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
not being distant in time, space, or significance
the famous prediction that in the near future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in familiar
closely acquainted
only her nearest friends know she's pregnant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time
as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire as summer draws near, we usually start planning our annual vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in almost
very close to but not completely
it's near six o'clock, so we should start preparing dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in approximately
close to but not exactly
it takes somewhere near an hour to get there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to close
to come near or nearer
as the procession nears, you'll be able to take a better picture of the graduates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 near
Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Dec. 2024
Many years ago, my husband Pat and I visited him at his mother’s farmhouse near Jacksonville, Alabama.
—Cassandra King, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024
Sam Pfeifle, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
In the near term, Russian nuclear warheads must be removed from any base that is close to wartime operations and bases from which Russia is launching conventional attacks.
—William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2024
Regardless of the category, a life-threatening and highly destructive storm surge will occur near and just south of where the eye moves ashore, AccuWeather said.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024
But those were voters who likely would have eventually returned to the Democratic column as Election Day neared, given their motivation to vote against Trump.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for near 
Preposition
Florida’s players and coaches celebrated with cigars as smoke filled the tunnel near the visitors’ locker room.
—Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Dec. 2024
Many years ago, my husband Pat and I visited him at his mother’s farmhouse near Jacksonville, Alabama.
—Cassandra King, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The closest lodging is about ten miles away in tiny Huntsville, and the nearest hub, with hotels, dining, and an après scene, is 30 minutes downvalley in Ogden.
—Sam Pfeifle, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
In the near term, Russian nuclear warheads must be removed from any base that is close to wartime operations and bases from which Russia is launching conventional attacks.
—William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
Once the family walks away, Ms. Torres gestures for another volunteer to come near.
—Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2024
Regardless of the category, a life-threatening and highly destructive storm surge will occur near and just south of where the eye moves ashore, AccuWeather said.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024
Verb
Fifty years ago the average cost for a loaf of bread neared 30 cents.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024
But those were voters who likely would have eventually returned to the Democratic column as Election Day neared, given their motivation to vote against Trump.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
The mix had gotten somewhat clearer by the third song, which is right around the time the feedback issues started.Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
-
The value perception of the chain has dimmed among its cash-conscious customers because the average price of its menu items has soared around 40% over the past five years, in line with rising costs according to the company.Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Things are coming around for the Canadiens, in a relative sense.Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024
-
In multiple myeloma, the five-year relative survival rate—the proportion of people who live at least five years after the initial diagnosis—varies widely depending on the stage of the disease.Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The large, flightless creatures are the second-largest living bird, with an average height of more than 5 1/2 feet, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo.Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Over the last decade, the discovery of Asgard archaea, our closest living prokaryotic relatives, has offered valuable clues.Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Specifically, the administration must take a close look at the anti-parent movement and direct the Department of Justice to enforce civil rights and other federal ...Chad Williams, National Review, 30 Nov. 2024
-
That’s about as close as this gritty six-part drama gets to Doctor Who, though.Matt Kamen, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The tri-band Eero Pro 6E (7/10, WIRED Recommends) mesh adds the 6-GHz band to the familiar 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands.Simon Hill, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Being the underdog is a familiar role in Tempe, and this team is no different.Matthew Self, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Adverb
-
Fold in potatoes, cheese, and onion: Add and fold in thawed hashbrown potatoes, Cheddar, and onion.Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024
-
Take a seat, slip your feet in, and pedal your way to your new year’s goals.Toni Sutton, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024
Adverb
-
Vassos' journey to finding love is almost over, and fans nationwide have theories about the winner.Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Also, anybody who goes to space is the responsibility of some nation, so Musk would almost certainly be the responsibility of the United States.Katie Hunt, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Adverb
-
By 1900, the acreage devoted to apples amounted to approximately 40,000 acres in Benton County, with only slightly smaller acreage in Washington County.arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
-
As of November 2024, Dogecoin’s inflation rate stands at approximately 3.4%, with a circulating supply of around 146 billion DOGE.Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Articles Related to near
Thesaurus Entries Near near
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share