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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Recent Examples of near
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
Yet last week, when Connecticut legislators introduced a bill that would bar ICE agents from operating near polling places, Republicans in Hartford cried foul.
—Kica Matos, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
Stephen Groves, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
The bill would address the recent discontinuation of the 1-cent coin by allowing retailers to round up or down to the nearest nickel or dime on cash transactions and requiring government units to round down when collecting cash taxes or fees.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 26 Feb. 2026
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Mitski has been trying to rein in an ever-present audience gaze since 2018, when her fuzzy, acerbic fifth album Be the Cowboy garnered near-unanimous praise that led to meeting Taylor Swift.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Linh Tat, Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Mikheyev’s value, meanwhile, may be peaking as the deadline nears.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
The crash happened near Al Jahra, located about 20 miles northwest of Kuwait City.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
Yet last week, when Connecticut legislators introduced a bill that would bar ICE agents from operating near polling places, Republicans in Hartford cried foul.
—Kica Matos, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Yet the demand for a reckoning over Epstein’s abuse of underage girls has become a near-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond.
—Stephen Groves, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
The bill would address the recent discontinuation of the 1-cent coin by allowing retailers to round up or down to the nearest nickel or dime on cash transactions and requiring government units to round down when collecting cash taxes or fees.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 26 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Dozens of residents moved in near-perfect sync, sporting everything from light-up sneakers to shimmery gold headbands.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Mitski has been trying to rein in an ever-present audience gaze since 2018, when her fuzzy, acerbic fifth album Be the Cowboy garnered near-unanimous praise that led to meeting Taylor Swift.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Irwin said families who survived the fires are nearing the end of their mortgage forbearance period.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Mikheyev’s value, meanwhile, may be peaking as the deadline nears.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
Simmons’ priorities are fiscal stability with responsibility, public health and accountability around the operation of the county jail.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Simply mix 250g of low-fat quark (which contains around 20g of protein) with 40g of ground oats, half a banana as a natural binding agent and a dash of milk.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
What are the relative velocities between them?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Mar. 2026
-
While audio listening overall continues on a healthy trajectory, the go-go times of a few years ago, when Spotify and rivals were scooping up talent and emerging studios, have segued to a period of relative austerity.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Custom drapery can enhance serenity and flow in living spaces, bedrooms and reading nooks, creating an ambience reminiscent of the local coffee shop or bookstore.—
Gretchen M. Stone,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Feb. 2026
-
While 10 mice died and some flies didn’t survive, most of the animals came back alive, giving scientists valuable insight into how living organisms cope with spaceflight.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
27 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The Bruins increased their advantage to 18 points on Dailey’s dunk less than five minutes into the second half and the visitors got no closer than nine the rest of the way.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Check the Tarrant County wait time map for the closest polling location and to check wait times for each party.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Goodbye to the ‘iPad kid’ era Kids glued to their tablets have become a familiar sight at restaurants.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Love is familiar to audiences, after having acted in TV and movie projects since at least 2010.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That’s great, in and of itself.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Auriemma may be feeling her absence, but from the outside looking in, Bueckers hasn’t seen the team miss a beat without her on the court.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
While the victim is retrieving the money, a second suspect quickly removes the ATM card from the machine and replaces it with a counterfeit card that closely resembles the original.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
According to Elo-Rivera’s office, the single largest concentration of unoccupied homes is in downtown San Diego, with 792, followed closely behind by La Jolla, with 751.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Campaigning began almost immediately after the announcement, with major commercial news outlets showing political advertising for the Social Democrats, while supporters of the populist anti-immigration Danish People's party began leafleting in parliament in Copenhagen.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Even with the game result finalized at this point, the anticipation to see how Maura would react to Rob’s betrayal was almost sky high, and the result matched the moment.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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