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

Police are searching for at least two suspects who allegedly unleashed a hail of bullets near a popular neighborhood festival in Toledo, Ohio, injuring at least 12 people. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 7 June 2026

Then be sure to read our explainer article on NASA's Artemis Program, along with the latest on the agency's upcoming Artemis 3 mission to test vital technologies for the Artemis 4 landing near the lunar south pole. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 June 2026

Adjective

We were forced to stay nearer to operations and reality. —Hebron Sher, Fortune, 29 May 2026

All the while, global crude stockpiles are plummeting at a record pace, and economists warn that even an immediate peace deal will not lead to near-term respite. —semafor.com, 29 May 2026

Adverb

With so many legends, styles, eras, and defining moments, including World Cup performances, to choose from, creating a definitive list is a near-impossible task, and, perhaps, that is what makes such an endeavor irresistible. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026

As a child, Mastel suffered from near-constant allergies and illnesses and in 1966, a serious intestinal illness hospitalized him for 54 days, spurring his interest in natural supplements and plants to try to quiet his symptoms. —Mars King, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026

Verb

The trend suggests shale drillers are responding to sustained gains in oil prices as overseas refiners snap up US cargoes to replace oil supplies disrupted by the conflict that’s nearing the 100-day mark. —Emma Sanchez, Fortune, 6 June 2026

That plan — a joint effort involving the NBA and FIBA, the sport’s global governing body — has been in the works for years but is nearing a launch at a particularly exciting time for the game in Europe with the burgeoning superstardom of San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. —Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026

Phrases Containing near

• far and near
• near escape
• near miss