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
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
The commission approved for Petrovich to build 31 homes on a different vacant parcel within the development near the corner of 10th Avenue and Crocker Drive.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2025
Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 23 May 2025
Lionsgate will announce a new release date in the near future, the most recent one being Oct. 3 this year.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2025
Economists say tariff revenues won’t come anywhere near to accomplishing even some of those goals.
—Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
Matt Minton, Variety, 21 May 2025
Alonso hasn’t homered in 52 at-bats, nearing the longest streak of his career without going yard.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
Hundreds of National Guard troops staged near the park.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
The commission approved for Petrovich to build 31 homes on a different vacant parcel within the development near the corner of 10th Avenue and Crocker Drive.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2025
Adjective
Two Department of Homeland Security officials told CBS News that ICE is conducting an operation to expedite the deportation of migrants with court hearings scheduled in the near future.
—Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 23 May 2025
Lionsgate will announce a new release date in the near future, the most recent one being Oct. 3 this year.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Adverb
Hollywood has always been obsessed with the Beatles — partly because there’s never been a movie anywhere near as popular or mythical as the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2025
Economists say tariff revenues won’t come anywhere near to accomplishing even some of those goals.
—Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Franco came into the mix as the ensemble neared the end of a long shoot, along with two weeks on location in Las Vegas.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 21 May 2025
Alonso hasn’t homered in 52 at-bats, nearing the longest streak of his career without going yard.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
Get a weekly round up of the top tech stories from around the world in your inbox every Friday.—
Ryan Browne,
CNBC,
28 May 2025
-
Best of The Bee: California changes rules around trans athletes after Trump’s threat to halt funding, via Lia Russell.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Liverpool was a relative longshot to win the league crown entering the season.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
24 May 2025
-
Somehow, the Rose Garden maintained a relative tranquility, and from it, Trump spoke to the American people.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
But Netanyahu said Tuesday that any new ceasefire deal reached -- for example to facilitate the release of more living hostages -- would be temporary.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
14 May 2025
-
With Asian elephants—its closest living relatives—facing a 22-month pregnancy and a decade-long wait for maturity, researchers needed a faster way to test their genetic edits.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Among the close friends and family celebrating were Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
After the close, discount retailer Miniso Group (9896 HK, MSO US) missed Q1 estimates while online travel agency Tongcheng (780 HK) beat analyst expectations for Q1.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
The latter star has landed a number of hits throughout the past few years by repurposing melodies and interpolating hooks from older, familiar smashes by other artists, reworking them into something exciting and new for a different audience.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Where Charlotte’s immigrant community goes for familiar flavors.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
Adverb
-
Back in the visiting clubhouse, Roberts watched the clock tick and tick and tick, eventually to the point where keeping Kershaw in was no longer a viable option.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
-
That dollar figure could be added back in later in the budget process, but for now it is not guaranteed.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
23 May 2025
Adverb
-
Essiedu is black, and while Stanton looks almost exactly like a young Emma Watson, but with a different skin tone, and that’s enough to cause unfortunate controversy.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
As of now, the May 16 clip has almost 53,000 likes.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adverb
-
According to data from the end of 2024, Stellantis currently employs approximately 34,000 people in Michigan, 75,000 nationwide and more than 248,000 globally.—
Liam Rappleye,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
-
Female Founders Collective has approximately 25,000 total members, including its exclusive dues-paying members.—
Emma Sandler,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share