Synonyms of close
-
as in crowded 
-
as in near
-
as in narrow
-
as in intimate
-
as in silent
-
as in careful
-
as in breathless
-
as in accurate
-
as in to shut
-
as in to close (down)
-
as in to end
-
as in to stop
-
as in to come
-
as in in
-
as in courtyard
-
as in ending
-
as in conclusion
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
1
as in crowded
having little space between items or parts
the soldiers marched in close formation against the enemy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in near
not being distant in time, space, or significance
my birthday is close to Christmas a shopping mall that is very close to the highway these words are close synonyms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
as in intimate
closely acquainted
a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
she was as close as a stone when it came to talking about her love life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible
the kind of folks who are very close when charity calls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in breathless
lacking fresh air
a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
4
as in to stop
to come to an end
the services closed with a short prayer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to come
to come near or nearer
the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time
the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity
at the close of the evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action
managed to conduct the negotiations to a satisfactory close
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 close
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
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
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
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share