as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a hairbreadth victory, but a victory nevertheless
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
or hairsbreadth
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
just missed the bull's-eye by a hairbreadth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hairbreadth
Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Adjective
In the end, Cuellar and his corporate backers carried the day (one marked also by the Uvalde school massacre), albeit by a hairbreadth margin.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Noun
Should the electoral officials’ math hold up, the hairbreadth victory is likely to provide only limited comfort to Mr. del Mazo’s party.
—Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hairbreadth
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
Noun
-
Depending on the tulip variety, spacing should be 3 to 6 inches apart.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Oregon is expected to be hit with 10 inches of snow in the mountains during the day and into the evening Friday.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Many close followers of Barca have remarked on how players seem to understand what the coach wants of them perfectly, which had not always been the case in previous seasons.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
The Athletic,
13 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
Noun
-
San Diego Padres' ace Dylan Cease is entering the final year of his contract.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The former Mets’ ace signed a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers, underwent the surgery on June 12, 2023 and returned Sept. 13. deGrom is a little over two years older than Cole and was averaging 99.1 on the pitch before undergoing the operation a few days before his 35th birthday.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The forward-thinking company stands out for handling every step, from sourcing and warehousing to direct delivery using its fleet of trucks and team of drivers.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Style your pair with straight-leg jeans, day dresses, or casual skirts to keep your look feeling fresh, especially on days when you’re bound to get plenty of steps.—
Nina Derwin,
Glamour,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Dry hair, skin, and eyes Estrogen drops can lead to a loss of water and collagen, which keep your skin moisturized and plump, and contribute to dryness.—
Erica Sweeney,
SELF,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Antioch police have pursued multiple leads and are working with police in other jurisdictions in an attempt to locate Bos. Bos is five-foot-four, weighs about 200 pounds, has dark brown hair and brown eyes.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that plays a key role in overall health.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD,
Health,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Occasionally, someone dressed it up or made out with it, and people liked to hang Mardi Gras beads around its neck, but nobody made it into a big deal.—
Zach Helfand,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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