near 1 of 4

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
4
5

near

3 of 4

adverb

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
as in closely
to a close degree copy the artist's drawing into your own sketchbook as near as you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

near

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verb

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
Preposition
Resembling a minnow near the surface of the water, these rental boats come with easy instructions for beginners who are unfamiliar with how to operate the canal’s lock system along the way. Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025 Yet, near-Earth asteroids are also widely regarded as one of the most significant existential threats facing humankind. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
However, economists caution, the better-than-expected reading could be a sign of a slowing economy and that shrinking businesses’ margins could foretell higher prices for consumers in the near future. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Wind giant Ørsted sues White House Energy giant Ørsted and two US states sued the White House over its obstruction of a near-complete offshore wind farm, part of the administration’s move away from renewables. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025 An accurate screening test should have a near-zero rate of false positives and a high level of specificity. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Lowell jumped on the bandwagon and hurriedly so, bankrolling and putting himself in charge of an expedition to Arizona territory to set up a telescope ahead of Mars nearing the Earth in 1894. Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 But the worst of California’s fire season is likely ahead as the windy season nears. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
  • Overmont Oversized Double Camping Chair This Overmont Double Chair is built for snuggling up around the campfire, but it can be used to spread out while solo.
    Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The ensemble featured a visible black underwire and corset boning at the bust and torso, while the sheer black fabric created an illusion of draping around her bust and the rest of her body.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Was one of Forest’s virtues last season their relative simplicity, which will now be disrupted?
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Early-career workers ages 22 to 25 in jobs most exposed to AI automation, such as software development and customer service, have seen steep relative declines in employment, according to findings in a paper from Stanford University’s Digital Economy Lab.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Together with previous finds, the new fossils demonstrate that at least four lineages of hominins (creatures more closely related to us than to our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees and bonobos) lived in eastern Africa between three million and 2.5 million years ago.
    Kate Wong, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
  • So, is this a case where a living organism transformed into a non-living state by evolutionary pressures?
    Dirk Schulze-Makuch, Big Think, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Looking back at Charlotte’s recent FCS opponents, dating back to 2021, the 49ers haven’t won the turnover battle in any of the four matchups, resulting in uncomfortably close games and even a lopsided loss to William & Mary in 2022.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • As Vevo’s Senior Manager of Talent Booking, Cynthia Todd emphasized the close partnership and trust that goes into making opportunities like these special performances come together in Live From Vevo Studios.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In this way, its role as a familiar calendar entity argues profoundly for itself, unsinkable and ever-long.
    Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Now, the Dragons (1-0) will face a familiar foe in Hebron.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • An amendment to a special tax district will allow Olympia Fields to become more social — as in, a place for families to play, not just live and shop, near the historic ski hill.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Google shares pop Alphabet shares popped 7% in after hours trading on the news.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The administration has also removed multiple senior leaders in charge of agencies that work closely with the intelligence community but fall under the Department of War.
    Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Merging with Teck will almost certainly be the master stroke in removing it from any plans by BHP to return with a fresh offer for Anglo American.
    Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Apple has since confirmed that the functionality will come to almost all modern smartwatch models.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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