neck and neck

Definition of neck and necknext
as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors a neck and neck finish in which only a fraction of a second separated the winner from the runner-up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neck and neck
Adjective
  • One stretch of narrow country road leading north out of the town of Clones in the Republic, for example, goes through Northern Ireland for some yards before reverting to the Republic.
    Colm Tóibín, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • That's because the radio waves are emanating over a wider range of directions rather than just in a narrow cone from the poles.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Catcher Danny Jansen hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to bust open a close game, and the Rangers held on for an 8-5 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
    Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Neck and neck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neck%20and%20neck. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster