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

In the galley next to the coffee maker, our collagen powders are in a neat row. — Michaela Trimble, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 Over in the dishwashing area, two roaches were under the dishwashing table, and one roach was on the wall next to the dishwashing station. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for next to

Recent Examples of Synonyms for next to

Preposition

Every few years, a vast area of water in the eastern Pacific warms near the equator.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Megill retired Richie Palacios on a grounder to second to end it, threw his arms in the air and was mobbed by teammates near the mound while Brewers fans celebrated in the stands.

— Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of near

Adverb

Dominguez has been funded almost entirely by the teachers union.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Recorded live in a Norwegian church with the British organist Kit Downes, the album consists almost entirely of pipe organ and Sundfør’s steadfast, saintly voice.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of almost

Preposition

Infection signs around the nose, mouth, ears, eyes or genital areas also warrant attention, the agency added.

— Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Canada doubled down on its historic 24-21 win in Toronto last week with sustained defensive pressure and a withering three-try burst in nine minutes around the hour mark.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of around

Adverb

As families’ interest in charter schools continues to grow, however — charters enrolled over 400,000 students in 2026, up nearly 50,000 students since 2022 — supply and quality must keep up with demand.

— Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
After fouling out for the first time in nearly a year a few days ago, Antetokounmpo again ran into foul trouble early in Wednesday’s game.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of nearly

Preposition

At some military gates, people passed sacks of flour and gas canisters through the gates, while an elderly man pushed his wife in a wheelchair through an opening beside one of them.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
It's composed mainly of a flexible biocompatible polymer, and is adhered to the face beside the eye via a medical adhesive.

— Ben Coxworth October 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of beside

Adverb

Existing approaches have typically relied on relatively bulky energy-harvesting devices sutured onto organs, which have struggled to generate practically useful amounts of power.

— Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2026
Allure Best of Beauty winner—feels practically weightless on skin, absorbing quickly without clogging pores or leaving behind a greasy residue.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of practically

Preposition

While the damage was minor, this was all caused by the magnetar SGR 1806-20, which is 50,000 light-years away, halfway across our galaxy.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
One of the helicopters was operated by Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight training and helicopter rental company based at McMinnville Municipal Airport.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of by

Browse Nearby Words

next door to

next to

nexus

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Next to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/next%20to. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of next to

preposition

adverb

Example Sentences

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