NEAR MISS Synonyms: 7 Similar and Opposite Words

near miss

noun

Definition of near miss

as in narrow escape

a barely successful escape from something undesirable a near miss with death prompted him to give up skydiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misfire

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 miss After years of uncertainty about how a near miss with a near-Earth asteroid actually plays out, major space agencies are now ready to watch, listen and learn with multiple missions to monitor the event. — Andrew Jones, Scientific American, 30 July 2026 Cockpit alarms blared as two Delta Air Lines jets narrowly avoided each other over Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport during a frightening near miss now under federal investigation. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 But there’s also an overwhelming clarity that comes from witnessing how fragile your own health is and having a few near misses. — Nick Reilly, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026 Objects in space have crashed, or had near misses, in the past. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for near miss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for near miss

Noun

After the close call with Gerry getting taken away by Tricia’s security, the two cross a boundary in the laundry room at the stadium.

— Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
But close calls like this, Mahdi says, are happening more often.

— Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of close call

Noun

The shaver’s gold-foil covers are hypoallergenic and allow for a close shave without harmful lacerations.

— Bria McNeal, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2026
Villa rely on its revenue to push their limits, so going another year on the outside will mean player sales, budget cuts and very, very close shaves with financial sanctions.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Definition of close shave

Browse Nearby Words

nearly

near miss

near misses

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“Near miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near%20miss. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of near miss

noun

Example Sentences

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The Weird Logic of 'Near Miss'

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Synonyms of near miss

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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The Weird Logic of 'Near Miss'

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