1
2
as in almost
very close to but not completely
I nearly fell down the stairs
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 nearly
Alongside those sticks, Weimer offered a carrot, proposing to nearly double federal government funding for German film production to €250 million ($295 million) annually.
—
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
Crews and inspectors spent nearly seven hours trying to free the trailer and ensure the overpass was not severely damaged.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Alley Cat sold for nearly $400,000.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
At the finish, Vonn traded fist pumps and a hug with teammate Breezy Johnson, who came down ninth, just before her, after a nearly hour-long delay because of fog.
—Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
Crews and inspectors spent nearly seven hours trying to free the trailer and ensure the overpass was not severely damaged.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Alley Cat sold for nearly $400,000.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
At the finish, Vonn traded fist pumps and a hug with teammate Breezy Johnson, who came down ninth, just before her, after a nearly hour-long delay because of fog.
—Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearly
Adverb
-
Capital expenditures, which are closely watched by investors who are worried about overspending, are expected to range between $175 billion to $185 billion in 2026.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Peskoe and others are watching court challenges to the DOE emergency orders closely, seeing if courts weigh in on this use of emergency powers to decide what kinds of energy should remain on the grid longer.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The majority of what remained was auctioned off by the French state in a wave of republican sentiment almost a hundred years later.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Last year was almost certainly the first year of the 21st century that preventable child mortality went up rather than down.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The talented Czech goalies are practically salivating at the opportunity.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Assuming Crawford or another starter candidate fills the long-relief role, the rest of the bullpen looks practically set.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nearly. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
