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
Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Though Flagg struggled at times to find his rhythm, there were flashes as to why the former Duke star was chosen No. 1 overall in the draft last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block near the end of the game.
—Staff, Oc Register, 11 July 2025
ABC News, 11 July 2025
Anyone with information about Decker's whereabouts is asked to call the nearest U.S. Marshals Service or the U.S. Marshals Service Communication Center at 1-800-WANTED2.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
If those numbers are anywhere near right, there’s still plenty of space for Stitch Fix — the once ultra-buzzy digital darling that is still promising to change retail.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 11 June 2025
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 July 2025
As Burn Notice nears its series finale next month, the show has begun auctioning off its props, wardrobe and set furniture, a liquidation that marks the end of one of the most successful television runs in Miami’s recent history.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
In another case, authorities shut down an off-the-books casino near Orlando disguised as a garage door repair shop.
—Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Though Flagg struggled at times to find his rhythm, there were flashes as to why the former Duke star was chosen No. 1 overall in the draft last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block near the end of the game.
—Staff, Oc Register, 11 July 2025
Adjective
Still unclear, though, is if the U.S. plans to pull weapons systems from its own military stocks to sell to European allies – an approach that would help Ukraine in the near term.
—ABC News, 11 July 2025
Anyone with information about Decker's whereabouts is asked to call the nearest U.S. Marshals Service or the U.S. Marshals Service Communication Center at 1-800-WANTED2.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Adverb
There was also a near complete series of coins used during the reigns of French Kings Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
If those numbers are anywhere near right, there’s still plenty of space for Stitch Fix — the once ultra-buzzy digital darling that is still promising to change retail.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 11 June 2025
Verb
Seventy years later, Disneyland’s popularity continues to grow, with total overall attendance for the Anaheim theme park resort nearing 1 billion and showing no signs of slowing down.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 July 2025
As Burn Notice nears its series finale next month, the show has begun auctioning off its props, wardrobe and set furniture, a liquidation that marks the end of one of the most successful television runs in Miami’s recent history.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
Our current favorite pairs include a few riffs on those flats from The Row—but thanks to the recent creative renaissance around jellies, there are so many more options to discover.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
-
They have been translated into more than 30 languages and won many prizes around the world and have been adapted for film, music, theatre, radio, and dance.—
A Dialogue,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, has also dropped significantly since April as markets have embraced relative calm.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
-
Now Hisense's high-end mini-LED TV can be found for a relative steal.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
As an example, the team at Colossal uses the genetics of the used the genetics of the closet relative of the team successfully used comparative genetics with its closest living relatives, the gray wolf, to fill in critical gaps in the genetic sequence.—
Nish Acharya,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
Here in the twentieth century is a living example of Man’s recurrent, archetypal pattern for working out the Role of the Hero and at the same time denying the inevitability and finality of death. . . .—
Charlie Lee,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
But a closer read shows the linguistic dance that big companies are engaged in.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
10 July 2025
-
Evening operations require a delicate balance: maintaining service standards while preparing for close and keeping everyone safe.—
Elie Y. Katz,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Blackpink superstar joined the F1 soundtrack, which is packed with familiar musicians across a variety of genres.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Despite returning to its familiar franchises, the company isn’t giving up on original storytelling.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
Adverb
-
At the entrance to the members’ pavilion, two men in cream blazers mind the door and ask for everyone’s pass to be shown on the way in.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Give spots to players who earn it, not bought their way in.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adverb
-
This frame, the project dips almost 20 spaces, falling from No. 125 to No. 144.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Pros: No break-in period; breathable; easy to style Cons: Some colorways are usually out of stock Reebok knows how to marry functionality and style, and the Club C 85s are the epitome of a classic, comfy shoe that can be worn with almost anything.—
April Benshosan,
Glamour,
14 July 2025
Adverb
-
The shindig raised approximately $126,000 for House of Ruth Maryland and its mission to provide support to survivors of intimate partner violence.—
Sloane Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
15 July 2025
-
According to data from the Current Population Survey, 8.3 percent of American households (approximately 11 million) reported moving over the past year.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share