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
Masoud Popalzai, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Skyridge Glamping For a couple’s getaway, the adults-only Skyridge Glamping near Kananaskis Village blends luxury with nature inside eco-cabins that bring the outdoors inside.
—Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
While shaking hands and chatting with members of the public, one person shouted questions regarding Prince Andrew as the monarch came near.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
When Rubenstein asked whether the massive market capitalizations of major tech firms, some nearing $5 trillion, signal a potential bubble, Solomon offered a historical perspective.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
Health officials put the early death toll at 12, with more than 250 people injured, in Samangan province, near the epicenter.
—Masoud Popalzai, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Skyridge Glamping For a couple’s getaway, the adults-only Skyridge Glamping near Kananaskis Village blends luxury with nature inside eco-cabins that bring the outdoors inside.
—Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Immune System Stress also negatively impacts the immune system both in the near and long term, which can lead to poorer health overall and weakened immunity.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The glasses capture images and send them as near-infrared light to the implant.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
While shaking hands and chatting with members of the public, one person shouted questions regarding Prince Andrew as the monarch came near.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
As Hurricane Melissa neared the Jamaican coast, winds in the spiraling wall of clouds around its eye gusted to almost unimaginable speeds.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
When Rubenstein asked whether the massive market capitalizations of major tech firms, some nearing $5 trillion, signal a potential bubble, Solomon offered a historical perspective.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
In September, Vanity Fair wrote a story detailing new revelations around his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson’s correspondence with the disgraced financier.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Helm waits around for the skies to clear.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Even a relative newcomer, Curtis, opposes eliminating the filibuster.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The majority of these labels favor more classic designs, but relative newcomer Laopu — launched in 2016 — has disrupted the market, blending 24-karat gold and diamonds with silhouettes and patterns inspired by Chinese tradition.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a wonderful chapter in which an older woman extolls a younger one to tell a painful story not with words, but with movements, so as to expel her pain without enlisting narrative’s power to summon, and thus force a re-living, of painful events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Many synthetic biologists, including Adamala, are seeking to make a synthetic cell — with natural chirality — from scratch out of non-living parts.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even as American political polarization has intensified over the last eight years, both Republicans and Democrats have agreed that an increasingly powerful Beijing poses an economic, technological, and security threat to Washington and its close allies.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
On the series, JD and Michelle have grown closer, but in real life, Todd is married to Jordan Wilcox Lasance.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Here, Hunter returns to a familiar figure in Stock’s Ethan, a writer who made it out of small-town Idaho for college and then a life in Seattle, but whose career is flagging and bank account is running dry.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But those who’ve watched the Blackhawks on a nightly basis know Spencer Knight has been masking some familiar defensive deficiencies.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Moths can also fly in through open windows and doors or find their way inside after invading bird nests in chimneys.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Mitch Trubisky, Josh Allen, Khalil Shakir and Terrel Bernard took a moment to pose in together.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
In the new role, Nguyen will work closely with Director, Talent Management Amanda Acevedo on overall talent strategy, growth and revenue across the company, while also serving as a senior leader for the team in the company’s Los Angeles office.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Green Mountain State residents voted in favor of Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom, with both landing 17 percent, and Buttigieg following closely behind with 16 percent.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
States, and now nonstate actors, have been engaging in wars of various kinds almost constantly since World War II.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
This is one of the most popular portable heated blankets on Amazon, with almost 500 perfect ratings.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share