near 1 of 4

preposition

Definition of nearnext
as in around
close to please don't cough near me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

near

2 of 4

adjective

1
as in closer
being the less far of two grab the comforter from the near side of the bed and fold it in half

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relative
being such only when compared to something else the incessant busyness of the family next-door makes us look like we live in near retirement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in living
closely resembling the object imitated the dress is made from a near silk that would fool anyone but an expert

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
not being distant in time, space, or significance the famous prediction that in the near future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in familiar
closely acquainted only her nearest friends know she's pregnant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

near

3 of 4

adverb

ˈnir How to pronounce near (audio)
1
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire as summer draws near, we usually start planning our annual vacation

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2
as in closely
to a close degree copy the artist's drawing into your own sketchbook as near as you can

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in almost
very close to but not completely it's near six o'clock, so we should start preparing dinner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in approximately
close to but not exactly it takes somewhere near an hour to get there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

near

4 of 4

verb

1
as in to close
to come near or nearer as the procession nears, you'll be able to take a better picture of the graduates

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to approach
to move closer to as we near the church, you'll be able to see the bas-relief sculptures better

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 near
Preposition
People are seen riding a chairlift as skiers and snowboarders pass below at Red Lodge Mountain, Feb. 20, 2023, near Red Lodge, Mont. — CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025 As of now, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) can afford to lose two Republicans, requiring near unanimity from his conference. — Lauren Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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 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
Adverb
That’ll do, especially since Soderstrom is going near pick 300. — Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 Both 2023 and 2024 shattered previous temperature records, hovering near or above 1.5 Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above the Earth's temperature in the late 1800s, a time before humans began burning vast amounts of fossil fuels that have inexorably heated up the planet. — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
The latest tariff back-and-forth continued to batter stocks Tuesday, and the benchmark S&P 500 is nearing a correction, falling 9.3% from its all-time high in late February. — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 However, the two-year deadline given to the Ministry of Labor, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Commerce, is nearing expiration, and there has been little progress in designing the employability policy. — Nathaly Triana, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
  1. around
  2. relative
  3. living
  4. close
  5. familiar
  6. in
  7. almost
  8. approximately
Preposition
  • Tax Day is just around the corner—and statistics suggest that taxpayers are not excited about filing their tax returns this tax filing season.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • This fully customizable electric catamaran has the shipyard’s signature solar panels integrated into the hull sides, superstructure and curved areas, covering around 738 square feet of surface area and generating up to 13kWp of energy.
    — Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of around
Adjective
  • The 10 individuals initially arrested in September 2017, which included four college assistant coaches, were all relative bit players in the ecosystem.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Investopedia gave the town nods for for its relative proximity to hospitals and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
    — Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of relative
Adjective
  • Carter was a living example of the struggle to end war and suffering around the world and to promote peace, justice and human rights.
    — Storer H. Rowley, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025
  • As scientists gather more examples, the pair’s private hand-on-eye code remains a poignant reminder of how similar chimpanzees are to their closest living relatives.
    — Brandon Keim, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Definition of living
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
  • However, a small portion of them, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), do require closer monitoring.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of close
Adjective
  • The perfumed notes are calibrated and restrained so that the blossoms underpin more familiar flavors like punchy, piney juniper and juicy pomelo peel.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2025
  • And the reopened Frick, with its familiar art back in place and some significant new features added — notably an entire second floor of family rooms repurposed as intimate galleries — feels organic in that way.
    — Holland Cotter, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of familiar
Adverb
  • When the Titans actually pick up golf clubs, practices will be geared exclusively toward pressure situations: short-game work from 120-yards in, dealing with 5-10-foot putts and other game elements that reveal a player’s mental character and course management skills.
    — Brian Robin, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Co-producers Kloos & Co in Germany and Indie Film in Norway joined in, followed by RBB/Arte, DR and RÚV.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of in
Adverb
  • And despite the overt inflation in almost every regard, Cadillac clearly believes the uncompromising urban buyer who wants power, panache, and plenty of room for the fam will eventually decide to go electric.
    — Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The royal has spent St. Patrick's with the regiment almost every year since marrying Prince William in 2011.
    — Monique Jessen, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of almost
Adverb
  • Ensured for approximately $6 million, the piece was featured in an exhibition of the artist’s work at the 18th-century castle and family home of Winston Churchill.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In 2021, Dollar General announced plans to open approximately 1,000 Popshelf stores by the end of the 2025 fiscal year due to its popularity with customers, according to reporting from CNBC.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of approximately

Phrases Containing near

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Cite this Entry

“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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