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 Shoshone chief next to me pours more water on the hot stones that are stacked in the middle of our circle of ten. — Taylor Eisenhauer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026 Surveillance photos taken by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration show workers wearing no protective gear at the demolition site of the Lake Behavioral Hospital in Waukegan, next to the working hospital building immediately to the left. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Detectives began digging on Tuesday in the remote area of Lancaster on a property next to a ramshackle home. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 That means the baby’s crib or bassinet can be next to the parents’ bed, which makes feeding and comforting easier, but the baby should sleep on a separate surface. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for next to

Recent Examples of Synonyms for next to

Preposition

This is well illustrated at Dia Beacon, where the sculpture Relatum (formerly System), 1969, sits near two paintings both titled With Winds, 1991.

— Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
One of Bodyguard’s late-game moves would involve George Patton’s imitation army, complete with fake tanks and radio chatter, near Calais on June 6, 1944.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of near

Preposition

Basu Trivedi reconnected with Tian after GPTZero’s launch, and Footwork went on to lead GPTZero’s $10 million Series A in June 2024.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Carmella is also still mad at Vicki for saying that Danny is raising her kids, and Heather is angry after learning that Vicki called her fake in Palm Springs.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of after

Adverb

Season three of Nobody Wants This is almost upon us, and Lupe has been making her rounds from New York Fashion Week to the red carpet, including while wearing a pair of these exact Talbot jeans.

— Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
More importantly, bonds are also almost certainly bigger than the traditional banking system—and probably crossed that mark sometime in the past decade, for the first time since both were invented a millennium ago.

— Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of almost

Preposition

Check-in and check-out are swift, valet has relatively little wait time, and the restaurant staff is accustomed to serving meals around performances at the Merrill Theater across the street.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Sep. 2026
Lithium-ion is typically replaced or augmented every seven to ten years, at 8,000 to 10,000 cycles, and an Aqueous Metal Cell installation is designed to run the full life of the project around it.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of around

Adverb

But centering a nearly dead Cathy Ames (Florence Pugh) is Kazan’s entire intention with this project, and snagging us with the image of her bloody body crawling toward the Trasks’ farmhouse is a tip of the hand toward where East of Eden is going.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Michael Poore is a nearly 40-year veteran of public education and the former superintendent of the Little Rock and Bentonville school districts.

— Michael Poore Special to the Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of nearly

Adverb

Wellbeing Butlers are at your beck and call to arrange reiki, gratifyingly strong massages in open air, cleansing Balinese ceremonies at the resort temple, or sunrise qi gong on the practically private sand.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Flats are a fashion staple that can be worn in practically every season (especially in the South).

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of practically

Preposition

At a small celebration dinner in San Francisco after the deal closed, Basu Trivedi was stunned by their choice of lodging.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Hochul's announcement came shortly after dozens of students and community members spent hours demanding transparency and accountability from university leaders at a forum sponsored by Cornell's student government.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 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 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of next to

preposition

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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