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
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 near
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Sure that the man had returned to kill him, Zeek grabbed the gun lying near the curb where it was dropped.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
The godfather of modern West Indian fast bowling shakes his head slowly, having been reminded what happened the last time his once proud and near-invincible team played Test cricket.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
With the end zone suddenly near, the Minutemen capitalized.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
The casting process for the Netflix movie was nearing its end, and the filmmakers still hadn’t settled on who would play the central couple, whose story is often used as a model for faith and love.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
Three people were killed and at least eight others injured on Saturday after a boat briefly stopped near the American Fish Company restaurant in North Carolina and opened fire, according to the Southport Police Department.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Sure that the man had returned to kill him, Zeek grabbed the gun lying near the curb where it was dropped.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The firm’s SeaShark 600 stealth USV is designed for near-shore ISR, attack, and swarm roles.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
The godfather of modern West Indian fast bowling shakes his head slowly, having been reminded what happened the last time his once proud and near-invincible team played Test cricket.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business's parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
With the end zone suddenly near, the Minutemen capitalized.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
And if that happens, the Hornets will have a decent opportunity to finally end a playoff drought nearing a decade.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
The casting process for the Netflix movie was nearing its end, and the filmmakers still hadn’t settled on who would play the central couple, whose story is often used as a model for faith and love.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
On the football field of Holy Redeemer Church in Burton, dozens of people from around Genesee County held candles to collectively pray for the United States and those affected by violence.—
Tess Ware,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial remarks about Kirk’s killing prompted ABC to temporarily suspend his late-night TV show, which has prompted widespread concerns around free speech.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Poor cardiovascular fitness carries a greater relative risk of death than smoking, according to the book.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Its absence means the relative improvements might not fully translate to real-world applications.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Rounding out the slate is a cricket reality show based on a Korean baseball format and a survival competition that blends co-living dynamics with physical and mental challenges.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
-
That’s the upshot of a new study on the alcohol content of the preferred foods of one of our closest living relatives.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump has previously suggested a deal was close.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The trainer visits Pegasus daily and is like the horse’s shadow during hospital visits, keeping a close eye to ensure the safety of Pegasus and those around him.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The America, once a familiar sight in San Diego, will soon undergo $200 million in maintenance and upgrades at General Dynamics-NASSCO in Barrio Logan.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Kimmel then built toward a familiar pop culture comparison.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The moment Princely Umanmielen was introduced to Carolina Panthers fans — as in, truly introduced — didn’t arrive when he was drafted, or during rookie minicamp, or at any of those other offseason workouts.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
-
So, that was a good learning experience and a humbling experience of being on the outside and trying to weasel my way in.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
25 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Hilaria Baldwin and Scott Hoying followed closely behind with 22 points apiece.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
An employee that stayed close to Ramos and Pegasus during his recent Holtz visit, for example, closely monitored the interactions, making sure the kids cleaned their hands properly and, at times, changed gowns following their interactions with the horse.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
There is, however, a region in its atmosphere at an altitude of over 31 miles (50 kilometers), where the temperature and pressure are almost Earth-like.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The heartwarming footage quickly went viral earning over 1 million views and almost 19,500 likes since it was posted on September 27.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share