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
Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
In September, federal agents dismantled a covert network near the United Nations in New York that contained more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards, according to the Secret Service.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
And, when the nearest source of fuel is not the woods but, rather, the house next door, a broader strategy is needed.
—Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
That means Zaha will be suspended for Game 1 of the playoffs against NYCFC, which tainted an otherwise near-perfect evening for the home team.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Much of the state north and west of that line is nearing, at or even beyond peak fall color.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
First, a late substitution forced Napier to burn a timeout near the red zone just before the play clock ran out.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
In September, federal agents dismantled a covert network near the United Nations in New York that contained more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards, according to the Secret Service.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In the near to medium term, the analyst expects AppLovin to deliver top line growth of between 20% to 30%, year over year.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
And, when the nearest source of fuel is not the woods but, rather, the house next door, a broader strategy is needed.
—Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
As a result, researchers recommend Rhabdophis angeli be listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
That means Zaha will be suspended for Game 1 of the playoffs against NYCFC, which tainted an otherwise near-perfect evening for the home team.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
Bills come due, eventually, in every sense, though reported name, image and likeness earnings nearing $2 million at Utah are a nice buffer.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Much of the state north and west of that line is nearing, at or even beyond peak fall color.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
The Broncos put that streak in jeopardy first when Nix sandwiched a touchdown run and a short scoring pass to rookie running back RJ Harvey around a Justin Strnad interception.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Soros is also an investor in Vice, which has quietly been slightly rebuilding its news output around founder Shane Smith’s podcast.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But the mob’s relative lack of visibility does not mean it’s gone away.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As the Universe continues to expand, dark energy’s relative contributions to the energy density will rise, while the remaining components will continue to decrease in relative importance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 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
-
Royal expert and author Christopher Andersen said Princess Anne, who has been a close confidant and advisor to her brother Charles for a while, was likely involved in the decision.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Let’s take a closer look at the best mowing height and timing to prepare your lawn for the cold ahead.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Devils’ broadcast team on MSG Network for Wednesday night included Minnesota native Rachel Herzog and retired goaltender Cory Schneider, who was very familiar to Wild fans a decade or so ago.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Elderly consumers, who might seek gentle relief for aches or the comfort of a familiar ritual, are left stranded.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Transfers out and in should rely on a number of factors, including the upcoming fixtures for the outgoing and incoming players, as well as their underlying numbers.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
After years of sluggish activity, sidelined homebuyers may finally be ready to jump back in, with mortgage rates now at their lowest level in more than a year and home prices softening across many major metro areas.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The scientific case for exploration dates back many millions of years to continental drift when Greenland was believed to be closely connected to Norway and the British Isles.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
After the Supreme Court ruling, Holt said, the department changed its grooming policy to allow closely cropped beards.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The Dancing With the Stars judging panel almost got through Wicked night without flying off the handle.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In September, a 130-unit building in Chicago’s South Shore was raided, with almost every one of the building’s residents — even children — being detained.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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