NEXT TO Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

next to 1 of 2

preposition

Definition of next to

as in near

close to enjoys living next to the ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in after

subsequent to in time or order next to the war, the flagging economy was the biggest campaign issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

next to

2 of 2

adverb

as in almost

very close to but not completely bought it for next to nothing

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 next to

Preposition

The plane overran Runway 30, struck multiple vehicles and came to rest at a field next to the airport, Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026 The compound also comes with a helipad, a six-car garage, storage for RVs and boats, a wine cellar for 2,300 bottles and a massive, fertile garden built during the COVID-19 pandemic next to a commercial-grade greenhouse. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Among the next to arrive was physician Kelly McGrath, followed by ICU nurse Susan Tyler, both of whom began working to stabilize Hunter. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026 Over the weekend, Lewis took to social media and shared Polaroid photos of herself in a wedding gown, veil and a bouquet next to her cockapoo, Bobby Rhubarb. — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for next to

Recent Examples of Synonyms for next to

Preposition

Almost a year in the planning, the aircraft will be supported by three refueling planes, two transport aircraft and around 300 personnel overseen from a headquarters near Lyon in eastern France.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
Zermatt aims to offer skiing 365 days a year and in a normal summer from May to late October, the resort operates 13 miles (21 kilometers) of groomed runs plus a snow park on the Theodul Glacier near the border with Italy.

— Rob Hodgetts, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of near

Preposition

As has been discussed in the comments, Tyra did not return as a judge after that argument with Law earlier in the season.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Find a way to limit run-after-catch opportunities for Green Bay’s wideouts, avoid turnovers offensively and Minnesota should be able to ride a raucous crowd to a Week 1 victory.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of after

Adverb

That’s nearly a 50-point gap in batting average, almost a 100-point margin in on-base percentage and over 200 points of separation in slugging percentage.

— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
That's enough to be a smooth operator with almost all your tasks, especially casual browser activity.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of almost

Adverb

On Wednesday, Musubi's staff used its commercial kitchen in Wailua, on Kauai's east side, to serve nearly 600 free meals.

— GENE JOHNSON, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
During President Joe Biden’s four years in office, employers added an average of nearly 329,000 jobs a month.

— Melissa Goldin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of nearly

Preposition

Sweat is running down the backs of my legs, and beside me, a small child is digging a hole in the sand—something pointless and therefore extremely important, in the way things done by children often are.

— Emma Watson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
The Prime Air plane came to rest beside a roadway near two semitrucks, images showed.

— David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of beside

Adverb

It’s been more than a week since deadly flash floods killed hundreds and left thousands missing along the China-Nepal border — and practically nothing is known about the victims on the Chinese side.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Fshaoes Oversized Button-Down Shirt Another billowy option, this oversized button-down shirt is practically begging to be worn as a beach cover-up.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of practically

Preposition

Was hearing Roland Hayes and, in time, other inspiring artists sing Schubert, Brahms, and Schumann songs like being beckoned by a musical brook to trust her instincts and follow its unlikely path?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
That includes the energy pumped out from the hearts of galaxies by feeding supermassive black holes, a type of cosmic feedback that smooths out clumpy cosmic matter lying outside galaxies.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of by

Browse Nearby Words

next door to

next to

nexus

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Next to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/next%20to. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of next to

preposition

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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