Synonyms of near

near 1 of 4

preposition

as in around

close to

please don't cough near me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• around
• beside
• at
• across
• next door to
• by
• about
• along
• nigh
• toward
• next to
• alongside
• circa

near

2 of 4

adjective

1

as in closer

being the less far of two

grab the comforter from the near side of the bed and fold it in half

Synonyms & Similar Words

• closer
• this
• front
• hither
• inside
• nigher
• fore
• forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• that
• other
• opposite
• further
• farther
• far
• distant
• remote
• outside
• back
• remoter

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

• relative
• almost
• approximate
• comparative
• similar
• comparable
• equivalent
• alike
• equal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• perfect
• complete
• absolute
• pure
• outright
• real
• true
• unqualified
• downright
• out-and-out
• genuine

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

• living
• realistic
• natural
• naturalistic
• like
• similar
• comparable
• vivid
• lifelike
• close
• three-dimensional
• graphic
• compelling
• true
• matching
• accurate
• approximate
• photo-realistic
• convincing
• alike
• analogous
• resembling
• akin
• faithful
• expressive
• verisimilar
• gritty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• off
• unlike
• unrealistic
• unnatural
• dissimilar
• different
• incomparable
• unmatched
• nonnatural
• disparate
• nonrealistic
• contrasting
• unalike
• mock
• fake
• phony
• sham
• contrasted

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

• close
• nearby
• immediate
• neighboring
• proximate
• next-door
• adjacent
• nigh
• at hand
• to hand
• coming
• adjoining
• convenient
• contiguous
• close-up
• abutting
• approaching
• handy
• bordering
• upcoming
• oncoming
• forthcoming
• accessible
• close-in
• hand-to-hand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distant
• far
• remote
• deep
• away
• far-off
• faraway
• separated
• divorced
• removed

5

as in familiar

closely acquainted

only her nearest friends know she's pregnant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• close
• familiar
• intimate
• bosom
• friendly
• tight
• inward
• inseparable
• especial
• chummy
• comfortable
• thick
• dear
• social
• loving
• buddy-buddy
• boon
• affectionate
• easy
• convivial
• clannish
• companionable
• cozy
• cordial
• gracious
• close-knit
• hearty
• genial
• tight-knit
• affable
• warm
• confidential
• neighborly
• gregarious
• sociable
• secretive
• adoring
• amicable
• devoted
• snug
• fond
• tender
• tenderhearted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distant
• distant
• remote
• cold
• withdrawn
• cool
• detached
• aloof
• unfriendly
• frosty
• antisocial
• reserved
• unsociable
• standoffish

near

3 of 4

adverb

ˈnir 

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

• close
• in
• nearby
• around
• at hand
• by
• at close quarters
• within call
• nigh
• hard
• along
• on one's doorstep
• hereabouts
• alongside
• conveniently
• thereabouts
• hereaway
• handily
• accessibly

2

as in closely

to a close degree

copy the artist's drawing into your own sketchbook as near as you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

• closely
• nearly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remotely
• distantly

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

• almost
• practically
• nearly
• somewhere
• fairly
• about
• virtually
• most
• pretty much
• just about
• nigh
• as good as
• fair
• more or less
• next to
• much
• feckly
• mostly
• within an inch of
• well-nigh
• borderline
• all but
• mainly
• largely
• somewhat
• chiefly
• partially
• by and large
• partly
• appreciably
• kind of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• quite
• entirely
• completely
• fully
• absolutely
• well
• altogether
• thoroughly
• wholly
• plain
• totally
• plumb
• utterly
• barely
• hardly
• scarcely

4

as in approximately

close to but not exactly

it takes somewhere near an hour to get there

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approximately
• around
• about
• roughly
• say
• some
• somewhere around
• somewhere about
• nearly
• after a fashion
• much
• like
• plus or minus
• more or less
• generally
• practically
• loosely
• virtually
• nominally
• well-nigh
• kind of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• precisely
• exactly
• even
• just
• sharp
• squarely
• due
• smack-dab

near

4 of 4

verb

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

• close
• come
• approach
• come up
• close in
• draw on
• reach
• arrive
• nigh
• belly up
• attain
• hit
• land
• gain
• turn up
• show up
• verge
• border
• make
• adjoin
• sneak up
• creep up
• touch
• waltz (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdraw
• retire
• recede
• retreat
• back (up or away)
• leave
• go
• remove
• exit
• depart
• run away
• walk out
• pull out
• quit
• clear out
• take off
• shove (off)
• light out

2

as in to approach

to move closer to

as we near the church, you'll be able to see the bas-relief sculptures better

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approach
• come
• enter
• nigh
• advance
• drop in
• pop (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• go
• withdraw
• leave
• recede (from)
• retreat
• depart
• exit

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of near

Preposition

Stocks are near all-time highs, but the bond market looks much shakier and consumer confidence is decidedly sour even if people do keep spending. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

The Missouri State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of an early Wednesday morning fire that destroyed a historic church in northeastern Johnson County, near Sweet Springs. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Adjective

In southern Utah, PerfectSwell® Zion will anchor Zion Shores, a luxury residential community built around waterfront living and world-class surf hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

James Reeve, a Saudi macro consultant who formerly worked as a senior director for the Saudi Public Investment Fund, told me that foreign investments already made in Saudi are unlikely to be reversed in the near term. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Adverb

Stock futures were near flat after an underwhelming revenue report from OpenAI rattled the AI trade. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

This is far from the picture of near-certain skyrocketing of demand that is fueling big lab valuations and soon the IPO materials. — Milos Maricic, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

This could change in the future and as the game nears release, but without a launch window in sight, don’t hold your breath. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Bears coach Ben Johnson said after the game that Williams is nearing a return. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing near

• far and near
• near escape
• near miss