as in almost
very close to but not completely
it was well-nigh dark, but I could still see a little
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Recent Examples of well-nigh
At Calder Gardens, art, architecture, and horticulture achieve a well-nigh perfect equilibrium.
—
Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025
The journey along the Gemini, which measured only 18 feet and five inches from bow to stern, proved to be well-nigh impossible.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Right now, though, a coherent A.I. policy seems well-nigh inconceivable.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
In my book, Peter Seidler was a model citizen, a well-nigh heroic one.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025
The journey along the Gemini, which measured only 18 feet and five inches from bow to stern, proved to be well-nigh impossible.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Right now, though, a coherent A.I. policy seems well-nigh inconceivable.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
In my book, Peter Seidler was a model citizen, a well-nigh heroic one.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well-nigh
Adverb
-
Julian Quinones almost scored his second goal moments later, but his shot hit the right post.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The lagoon, which wanders almost the entire length of the garden, adds a swath of blue to this oasis of green.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
Adverb
-
For the island, the wedding was both an extraordinary international showcase and an event that divided public opinion between enthusiasm for the visibility gained and criticism for a city that remained, for three days, practically off limits.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
7 June 2026
-
His band recreated practically every nuance of the original recording.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2026
Adverb
-
Lee nearly snuck a single into right field in the bottom of the fourth, but second baseman Nico Hoerner made a diving stop of Lee’s grounder to rob him of a hit.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
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To explain the stadium eruption that followed is to imagine a Super Bowl where nearly everyone was rooting for one team.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Adverb
-
The leather softens beautifully with each wear, and the slim silhouette styles well with virtually everything—cropped trousers, slip skirts, even relaxed denim.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
-
Infantino has struggled with virtually everyone else.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Well-nigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well-nigh. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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