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
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Power poles were snapped and toppled near the Louisiana towns of Jena, Cheneyville and Donaldsonville, the weather service reported.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
This gives us hope that spring is near.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 12 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, the Woodward region could see a critical fire weather risk, while cities like Clinton and Altus are marked under near-critical conditions.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 12 Feb. 2026
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Our Valentine star Betelgeuse is nearing the end of its life.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
Three people were detained for questioning late Friday during a law enforcement operation carried out in part by a SWAT team in Tucson near Guthrie’s home.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Power poles were snapped and toppled near the Louisiana towns of Jena, Cheneyville and Donaldsonville, the weather service reported.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The Finnish fiber firm spent the year reworking its operating model and technology roadmap, prioritizing cost efficiency and technical validation over near-term commercialization.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
This gives us hope that spring is near.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Adverb
On Wednesday night, fashion designer Laura Kim invited her nearest and dearest over to her Lower East Side apartment for her version of a Lunar New Year celebration.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 12 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, the Woodward region could see a critical fire weather risk, while cities like Clinton and Altus are marked under near-critical conditions.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
The goings-on have included Preller trying to build out the roster and Seidler working through the process of selling the team, which is believed to be nearing its final stages.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Our Valentine star Betelgeuse is nearing the end of its life.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
Early childhood advocates were delighted when he was sworn into office seven years ago, his arms around his scene-stealing 2-year-old son.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The retail price for a standard pack of Pokémon cards is usually around $5 for 10 cards — though, much like hunting for shiny Pokémon, successfully purchasing a new pack may require some luck, strategy and patience as the cards have exploded in value in recent years.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The case’s top count is attempted murder, but the relative culpability of each defendant is in question by their defense attorneys and could be a focus of the trial, which is expected to take about two and a half weeks.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 17,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Feb. 2026
-
After that, there’s pressure to deliver relative immediate results such as what recently transpired in Seattle, New England, Chicago and Denver.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While 10 mice died and some flies didn’t survive, most of the animals came back alive, giving scientists valuable insight into how living organisms cope with spaceflight.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
27 Dec. 2025
-
In a breakthrough that reimagines how living tissue can drive machines, researchers at MIT have developed artificial tendons made from tough, flexible hydrogel.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Another category that would likely unnerve boards of directors, according to Minow, is close ties with Epstein following his controversial 2008 guilty plea to procuring a minor for prostitution.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The galaxies that are so familiar and ubiquitous in our Universe today will die, at least in a sense, as well.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
And in an increasingly fraught world, the need for a place that feels simple and familiar — one that offers the quiet assurance that everyone belongs — becomes not just understandable, but essential.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
This fresh and flavorful bolognese sauce comes together in under an hour and is homemade perfection.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
His son, Abdullah, a doctor from Mazra’a in the western Galilee, was treating a mother and her two children at a clinic last February when a masked gunman walked in and fatally shot him at close range.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Takaichi wants to improve intelligence-gathering and establish a national agency to work more closely with ally Washington and defense partners Australia and Britain.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Figma has allowed customers to try out its offerings to get individual users and teams acquainted and investors are watching closely to ensure AI investments are translating into revenue growth.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
But a morning run along the Riverwalk below is regenerating, even in winter, and almost anything located in the Loop is walking-distance.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The education begins almost immediately.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
