close 1 of 5

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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

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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

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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
Years of hustling never seemed to bring stability closer within reach. Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025 At the Academy Awards’ annual class-photo luncheon — this year a dinner, after the original 2025 event was delayed by the California wildfires — celebrities crowded close together in front of a single bar. Myles Hendrik, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
By the close of 2024, the generations had switched places. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 The quarter marked the first like-to-like comparison of financial periods after the September 2023 close of the merger of UFC and WWE created TKO. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • Elite institutions will continue to thrive, as will second-tier schools that can differentiate themselves in a crowded market.
    Scott White, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Josephine Chen, a partner at Sequoia, said the crowded market reflects the seriousness of the problem.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The nearest batch of suitable cement was five hundred miles away, in Bakersfield, California.
    Brent Crane, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
  • But among the world’s democracies, the United States has a near—but not total—monopoly on the best surface-to-air missiles and their supporting launchers and radars.
    David Axe, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Others may include family offices that offer a narrower range of services.
    Francois Botha, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Thirty narrow stairs lead to City Ballet’s bright, top floor rehearsal studio, with double ballet barres lining three walls, a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and an open ceiling with a treacherously low center beam that high jumping dancers have learned to avoid.
    Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • On Thursday, March 6, Hamilton Leithauser kicked off his annual residency at Cafe Carlyle, the intimate posh supper club known primarily for its Marcel Vertès murals, martinis and cabaret and jazz performances by Peter Cincotti, Jeff Goldblum, Sandra Bernhard and others.
    Frank DiGiacomo, Billboard, 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
  • In comments at the Morgan Stanley media conference, the Fox CEO was again extremely careful to stress that the goal is not to cannibalize linear television and Fox will not advertise it on linear television but is meant purely to capture those who cut the cord or have never subscribed to cable.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025
  • There’s potential for clarity in resolving any lingering tension, but also be careful not to speak too rashly.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 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
  • But new correspondence with The Times raises questions about whether that narrative is accurate, or if Bass is withholding public records.
    Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Its night time resting heart heart rate measurement is 99.6% accurate, while its heart rate variability (the variation in time between consecutive heart beats) is 98% accurate when compared to a medical-grade electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the heart’s electrical activity.
    Korin Miller, SELF, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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