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.
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Recent Examples of near
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Battle, who finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, took the inbound pass near the paint and dribbled out along the baseline for more space before swishing the winner and landing on her back.
—Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
To stay safe, experts recommend using air-conditioning or finding your nearest cooling center or public space if air conditioning is not available.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Dan Heching, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
At breakfast time Friday, San Diego’s State’s Viejas Arena was full of basketball fans from near and far.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Jim Defede, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
On the island of Maui, authorities upgraded an evacuation advisory to a warning for some parts of Lahaina, which is still reeling from a deadly 2023 wildfire, because of retention basins nearing capacity.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
The Brenham Fire Department confirmed it was dispatched to reports of a possible explosion near Highway 50, though units on scene did not find anything.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Battle, who finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, took the inbound pass near the paint and dribbled out along the baseline for more space before swishing the winner and landing on her back.
—Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The line monitors administer the exam with near-total secrecy.
—Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
To stay safe, experts recommend using air-conditioning or finding your nearest cooling center or public space if air conditioning is not available.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
At breakfast time Friday, San Diego’s State’s Viejas Arena was full of basketball fans from near and far.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Gas prices in Florida are nearing $4, and diesel being $5 [per gallon] is economically impactful in a very negative way.
—Jim Defede, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
On the island of Maui, authorities upgraded an evacuation advisory to a warning for some parts of Lahaina, which is still reeling from a deadly 2023 wildfire, because of retention basins nearing capacity.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
Eight strikeouts shy of 250 for her career entering the game, Langford hit that mark against the lead-off batter in the top of the sixth, and her team gathered around its standout hurler on the mound to celebrate.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Years before the pandemic, the Fish brothers were driving around Fort Lauderdale looking for a gem.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
After a period of relative calm, the consequences of the shutdown have been dramatically worsening, seemingly by the day.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
-
That was about twice face value, but a relative bargain with what few tickets remained, most of them priced in the $400 to $600 range.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Today, the shuttered community center is a modern co-living apartment boasting a theater and fitness space.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Now, scientists have created a highly efficient AI model that hints at how living brains are able to do so much with so little, a team reports in the journal Nature.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Many of the scouts in attendance on Tuesday — from about half the NFL teams — would have been keeping a close eye on left tackle Kage Casey.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
-
If balloons are around, close supervision is required.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a familiar rhetorical pattern to retirement announcements by most members of Congress.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Veo would take over that month, offering the familiar standing scooters now used, along with seated scooters, two-person scooters, cargo bikes and trikes.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Remove sauce from heat and mix in 2 garlic cloves, finely grated, and pasta, then gently fold in reserved leeks.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
In overtime, Carlsson generated a strong chance early before Terry ended the session 89 seconds in, taking the puck from leading Sabres scorer Tage Thompson and lifting a backhand shot to convert on the breakaway.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The filmmakers are working closely with Kilmer’s estate.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
So far, strategies tied closely to stocks have been hit the hardest.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The problem is that such inferences are often wildly speculative and will almost certainly lead to false convictions or arrests.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Hungary has a population of almost 10 million, a fraction of the bloc's 450 million people.—
LORNE COOK,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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