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
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
His touchdown pass was to Tyler Johnson, who had three catches for 64 yards, near the end of the first half.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
While shaking hands and chatting with members of the public, one person shouted questions regarding Prince Andrew as the monarch came near.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
As Hurricane Melissa nears Jamaica, cruise trips that left from South Florida are changing their itineraries.
—Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
Akey’s second rushing touchdown, a 5-yard sprint just inside the corner of the end zone, put Vista ahead near the end of the second quarter.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
His touchdown pass was to Tyler Johnson, who had three catches for 64 yards, near the end of the first half.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Immune System Stress also negatively impacts the immune system both in the near and long term, which can lead to poorer health overall and weakened immunity.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The glasses capture images and send them as near-infrared light to the implant.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
While shaking hands and chatting with members of the public, one person shouted questions regarding Prince Andrew as the monarch came near.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Guantánamo Bay orders evacuations as Hurricane Melissa nears Beginning over the weekend, the Navy base at Guantánamo Bay began moving families off the island ahead of Hurricane Melissa's arrival.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
As Hurricane Melissa nears Jamaica, cruise trips that left from South Florida are changing their itineraries.
—Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
The duo hope to use their data background to show global trends and narratives around rising anti-democratic sentiment by compiling and reporting on public data that often gets overlooked or underanalyzed.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Reich said Lauren Spors began to scream and threaten those around her, prompting a county worker to call the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
27 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
-
Even as American political polarization has intensified over the last eight years, both Republicans and Democrats have agreed that an increasingly powerful Beijing poses an economic, technological, and security threat to Washington and its close allies.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
On the series, JD and Michelle have grown closer, but in real life, Todd is married to Jordan Wilcox Lasance.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
29 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
-
In the new role, Nguyen will work closely with Director, Talent Management Amanda Acevedo on overall talent strategy, growth and revenue across the company, while also serving as a senior leader for the team in the company’s Los Angeles office.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Green Mountain State residents voted in favor of Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom, with both landing 17 percent, and Buttigieg following closely behind with 16 percent.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
States, and now nonstate actors, have been engaging in wars of various kinds almost constantly since World War II.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
This is one of the most popular portable heated blankets on Amazon, with almost 500 perfect ratings.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share