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
-
Critics say the danger faced by agents whose names are made public is overblown, almost always limited to harsh and violent words lobbed from behind a laptop or phone screen.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Engagement is almost always good.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Denise Giardina, a Huntington Beach book seller and friend of Voorhees’, has been on Home Depot patrols in her community and said planning various political actions is practically a full-time job.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Temperatures are still unpredictable, sidewalks are cold, and open-toe sandals feel premature both practically and visually.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The new proposal would nearly double that ceiling, setting a new cap at 15% for cities under 30,000 people.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Its housing market has also crashed, with major centers Auckland and Wellington suffering among their worst slumps in history, following a post-pandemic surge – with prices down nearly 30% in the capital since January 2022.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Most Versatile Hotel Comforter Leave it to the Four Seasons to create a down duvet designed for year-round comfort—and virtually all beds.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The law allows virtually anyone to file a lawsuit claiming potential environmental harm, and has become a tool for unions seeking leverage, competitors seeking advantage, and neighborhood groups seeking status quo.—
Mike Garcia,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Well-nigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well-nigh. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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