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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of near
Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
No arrests have been announced in the mass shooting near downtown Montgomery.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
While this is a snapshot of how things are expected to look in the future, a one month outlook and subsequent weeks’ and days’ forecast will give a better look at what to expect as the date grows near, according to the NWS.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Amid the tightening of poll margins and fluctuating voter sentiment, both candidates will intensify their campaigns as Election Day nears.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
On a different note, there appears to be some lucky energy around home, family, real estate or domestic matters near this time, too.
—Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
No arrests have been announced in the mass shooting near downtown Montgomery.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Often the first sign that the end of winter is near is when spring-blooming bulbs peek above the soil line.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Adverb
There are near-endless uses for these devices—some shoppers even attach them to their dogs’ collars.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
While this is a snapshot of how things are expected to look in the future, a one month outlook and subsequent weeks’ and days’ forecast will give a better look at what to expect as the date grows near, according to the NWS.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Other parts of the country are nearing their peak, like northeastern Washington, central Oregon, eastern Montana, most of North Dakota, just over half of Michigan, as well as a large portion of Upstate New York.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Amid the tightening of poll margins and fluctuating voter sentiment, both candidates will intensify their campaigns as Election Day nears.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
Twelve years after the Kewaunee Power Station shuttered, wounding the local economy, owner EnergySolutions is seeking government approval to build a new nuclear plant at the site — and is trying to buy hundreds of acres of farmland around it.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Now, a new report suggests the project may have hit technical challenges around that first device.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Central peaks are a common feature of large craters, their formation a condition of the relative sizes of the impactor and its target.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Yes, even with the fact that WBD no longer offers forward-looking guidance in earnings reports, the company outlook is better, in relative terms –- and hoping for a further lift if one becomes two.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, its length can be increased up to a maximum of 34 ft (10 m), for those who like the basic design but require more living space.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Rounding out the slate is a cricket reality show based on a Korean baseball format and a survival competition that blends co-living dynamics with physical and mental challenges.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Bishnoi denies involvement in Moosewala’s murder, but in an explosive interview from behind bars, accused his close aide of orchestrating it.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The departure of Busquets and Alba means Messi will lose two of his most talented teammates and closest friends.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The raid, Jones says, also exposed familiar fault lines in labor and manufacturing.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Stop us if any of this sounds familiar.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
There are also potential resurgent teams, such as the Rangers, looking to get back in, plus other young groups, such as the Blue Jackets and Sabres, pushing right alongside Detroit.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
But Smith, a Loyalist, may not have been in as jubilant a mood as his guests.—
Victoria Flexner,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Russia’s Vladimir Putin is counting on the same Western fatigue in Ukraine and China’s Xi Jinping is watching closely in Taiwan.—
Aviva Klompas,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The 4-star Starlink Mini combines around-the-globe connectivity with a compact, efficient design that can travel almost anywhere with you.—
Wendy Sheehan Donnell,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The final finished 14-14, but my abiding memory is the intoxicating swirl of noise and colour created by almost 93,000 fans, plus the sense of anticipation that accompanied the pre-match walk up Olympic Way.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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