close 1 of 5

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2
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as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors the election results were so close that the votes had to be recounted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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close

2 of 5

verb

1
as in to shut
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening be sure to close the gate when you leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to close (down)
to stop the operations of the merchant will close the store if business doesn't improve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll close the assembly with the singing of our national anthem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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close

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adverb

close

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noun (1)

as in courtyard
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls) a garden in a close at the center of the complex

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

5 of 5

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective close contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of close are miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When can miserly be used instead of close?

The synonyms miserly and close are sometimes interchangeable, but miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would niggardly be a reasonable alternative to close?

Although the words niggardly and close have much in common, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

In what contexts can parsimonious take the place of close?

While in some cases nearly identical to close, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When is it sensible to use penurious instead of close?

The meanings of penurious and close largely overlap; however, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When could stingy be used to replace close?

In some situations, the words stingy and close are roughly equivalent. However, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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 close
Adjective
This task is somewhat less challenging around the closest major galaxy to the Milky Way, Andromeda. Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025 The most impactful shows were smaller in format, allowing for a closer appreciation of the pieces and the skill behind them. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Dow closed lower by 890 points, or 2.08%, pulling back from a loss of more than 1,100 points at one point. Tricia Escobedo, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 Authorities allege their father, Samuel Carlos Edwards, huddled them in the neighboring bedroom and closed the door, before shooting Jefferson dead in the middle of the living room. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 The presser also comes as a March 14 shutdown deadline inches closer. The Hill Staff, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Gabriela Hearst’s fall 2025 rtw collection debuts as Paris Fashion Week comes to a close. Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025 Canada selected a new prime minister-elect on Sunday night, as Justin Trudeau's reign nears a close amid a trade war with the United States. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • The key to standing out in a crowded marketplace is crafting a narrative that makes the case for why your diverse experiences and strengths are assets.
    Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The celebrity tequila world is over-saturated, to say the least, but there are some brands in this crowded field that are actually worth checking out.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Locate the nearest shelter According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one way to prepare yourself in the event of severe storms is to locate your nearest shelters ahead of time and map out the safest routes to reach them.
    Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The nearest properties abutting the project are 124 feet away from its development site, making any potential fires threatening to local property and safety, according to officials.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Rubrik beat Wall Street’s expectations, posting an adjusted loss of 18 cents per share for its fourth quarter, which was narrower than the 39 cent loss expected from analysts polled by LSEG.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The historically narrow majority that Republicans hold in the House of Representatives means this opposition will probably continue.
    Justin Peck / Made by History, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • For your final evening on Grand Turk, make a reservation at Secret Garden, an intimate restaurant at the Salt Raker Inn where every sunset is a social event.
    Laura Begley Bloom, AFAR Media, 10 Mar. 2025
  • More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience some form of violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
    Shannon Carpenter, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The writer was directed to a secret Disney warehouse where he was confronted with a Baby Yoda robot that was able to respond to him, including seeming disappointed when the writer was silent.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Jun Reina, a former general manager of Capital Public Radio and a central figure in the station’s financial woes, has largely remained silent as questions mounted over a scathing audit’s findings of questionable expenses and financial mismanagement.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These concerns underscore the need for careful consideration of privacy rights when deploying such technology.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Rendering animal fat requires careful heating and purification to remove impurities.
    Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Moore sprinted down the field in celebration of his game-saving play with 29 seconds left that gave UCLA an unexpectedly breathless 27-20 victory.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Jerry Coyne has a post up which critiques an extremely breathless review of a new book, Epigenetics Revolution.
    Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2011
Adjective
  • Urban Planning By creating highly accurate 3D models of cities, project managers and architects can visualize the entire urban environment, simulate changes and make more informed decisions.
    Carlos Melendez, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Tips for Pap Smear Preparation on Your Period Cervical cancer screening, like any lab test, is not always 100% accurate, and certain factors can affect accuracy and comfort during the exam.
    Khadeja Haye, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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