1
as in intimacy
the state of being in a very personal or private relationship
my cousin and I have lost that nearness we had when we were kids
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proximity
the state or condition of being near
our nearness to the theme park has made us beloved by relatives from all over the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nearness
The nearness of bees, and of other things that agitate most people, calms me.
—
Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Overstating the nearness of human-level intelligence or ignoring ethical, safety, and energy concerns erodes trust and triggers backlash.
—Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Overstating the nearness of human-level intelligence or ignoring ethical, safety, and energy concerns erodes trust and triggers backlash.
—Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearness
Noun
-
Where is the line between work and intimacy, and who is actually the victim in all this?—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
-
To be now in the house of the man who for so many years had held my father’s attention seemed like a way to discover something about his creative process, and in turn, find my way to writing with equal intimacy and insight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Waller is the former mayor of Calhoun Falls, a town in Abbeville County with about 2,000 people, known for its proximity to Lake Russell and Calhoun Falls State Park.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Anyone with even a passing familiarity with the Food Network (or food media in general) has at least heard of Ina Garten.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Being away from their owners, sudden changes in diet and routine, or a lack of familiarity can cause cats to be stressed and anxious.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Soon after, four police officers can be seen running up to him and tackling him to the ground before handcuffing him and searching his belongings.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Following a young woman navigating life after growing up in an orphanage, the film transforms her shrinking apartment into a dreamlike maze of memory and loss, using striking visual metaphors to explore belonging, self-worth, and the fragile hope of starting over.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For all the suffering at this table, there’s a redemptive kinship as well, and a recognition that feels like rescue.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
-
From adjoining lockers to neighboring spots in stretch lines, the two appear to have quickly developed a kinship.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nearness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nearness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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