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
City officials say the project is complicated because of the nearness of the freeway and the Los Angeles River.
—
Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
That tension—between nearness and distance, inside and outside—defines the film’s structure and tone.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
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
Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
That tension—between nearness and distance, inside and outside—defines the film’s structure and tone.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearness
Noun
-
Venus conjunct Jupiter in Cancer activates your eighth house of intimacy, shared money and emotional merging, making today powerful for vulnerability, forgiveness and deeper connection.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
Speaking of dialogue, Zegna wanted to place an emphasis on intimacy and staying in the moment so personal photography was not permitted inside the party, a rarity for a Los Angeles gathering.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The close proximity of the plant to homes and schools led to widespread outrage and now dozens of lawsuits after residents were displaced for days.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The only thing that could apparently harm them was proximity to decaying tissues of other species.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The familiarity hastened the get-to-know-you process.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
There are many similarities between Indian and Nepalese cuisines in terms of spices and ingredients, and this breeds familiarity.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
The quirky discovery came in May 2026, while Mikelson was helping sort through the belongings of her grandmother, Peggy Kelpe, who died of cancer in February at the age of 82.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
Amaya takes viewers on a journey through Los Angeles, meeting legendary players, passionate fans, community leaders, activists and entrepreneurs whose stories reveal fútbol as culture, family and belonging.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
But it was never lost on me that there’s a kinship to what Carolyn experienced—a heightened sense of interest in one’s sartorial choices, what color their hair is.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
8 June 2026
-
Insights and kinships emerge almost unbidden—called forth through juxtaposition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nearness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nearness. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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