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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.
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Recent Examples of nearly
Outkast, comprising members André 3000 and Big Boi, were inducted by Donald Glover and brought nearly all of their collaborators and confidants in attendance on stage to celebrate the honor.
—
Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
On the Dolphins’ first touchdown drive, a 12-play, 92-yard march that chewed up nearly half the first quarter, Achane carried the ball on four consecutive plays.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
The Woodstock era is now nearly six decades behind us.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month during the shutdown, leading many to call in sick and compound previously existing staffing shortages.
—John Seewer, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
On the Dolphins’ first touchdown drive, a 12-play, 92-yard march that chewed up nearly half the first quarter, Achane carried the ball on four consecutive plays.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
The Woodstock era is now nearly six decades behind us.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month during the shutdown, leading many to call in sick and compound previously existing staffing shortages.
—John Seewer, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearly
Adverb
-
Soon, TikTok users were tracking the situation closely, rooting not just for the net to be repaired — but for Phillips’ party to go on as planned.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The new moves — essentially enrolling merchants in Amazon’s store, in some cases without their knowledge — appears unprecedented, said Juozas Kaziukėnas, an independent analyst who closely tracks Amazon’s marketplace.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Sure, the Hurricanes beat the world when Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson coached there, but that was almost two generations ago.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Larssen told the Ledger-Transcript that for part of the slide, the SUV was almost t-boned until Martin, who drove the vehicle, was able to pull out.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Throughout the long journey, South Park has created diehard fans who have practically memorized the entire run of the series.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Years of posting videos and photos of my kitchen projects have created this reflexive doppelgänger, someone practically unable to cook without the observing eye of an audience.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nearly. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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