near 1 of 4

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5

near

3 of 4

adverb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

near

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verb

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
Finding the right formula while the side is near the bottom is not easy. Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 Toward the beginning, a LeBron James magazine cover is shown hanging near an elevator. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Over several hours, stargazers watched in awe as the moon's shadow slowly crept across the lunar surface, turning our nearest celestial neighbor blood red. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025 The nearest state hospital is Hospital do Litoral Alentejano in Santiago do Cacém, about 40 minutes away. Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Spencer Platt | Getty Images An ominous measure that the Federal Reserve considers a near sure-fire recession signal again has reared its head in the bond market. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025 Hours later, officers discovered the second body in the River Dee in an area of the river near to the Victoria Bridge around 9 p.m. local time. Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
The center is nearing capacity, causing concern that if the bloom continues, sickened animals will have to be left on the beach. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025 DeJoy was nearing his fifth year in the role and left his 10-year plan for the organization for his successor to accomplish. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
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
  • She was last seen on the beach around 4:50 a.m., according to the Dominican Republic prosecutor's office and the hotel.
    Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In other words, relative strength is strong, having bottomed in August 2024.
    Bill Sarubbi, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • There remains $42 million in cap space that is always relative and fluid.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • After a toast led by Marine Kyle Carpenter, the nation’s youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, guests gathered in the museum’s rotunda.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The Biotic and Abiotic Factors of High-Performing Teams In biological ecosystems, success depends on both biotic factors (the living organisms) and abiotic factors (the non-living environmental conditions).
    Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Since Sullivan’s arrest, there have been calls for a state-level investigation and a closer examination of its safety net for children, including homeschooling practices, around which there is little or no regulation, according to a 2018 Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate report.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Archway provides a no-obligation offer within 24 hours, can pay cash and close within three days or on a future date of the seller’s choice, and there are no fees or commissions to pay.
    Archway Homes, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2025
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
  • Whatever the case, deer tend to use familiar travel corridors.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 20 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • Even though that fund was welcomed, the implementation of the policy has been lackluster, and government squabbling and in-fighting ultimately led to Scholz losing his job.
    Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
  • At 6ft 6in, Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev hits fast serves but often plays from the back of the court.
    Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • The pillars of the massive pier have formed artificial vertical reefs underwater, and diving here almost feels like entering a science fiction world, with alien-like tree formations and coral growths blossoming out from the supports.
    Erik Trinidad, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025
  • If UConn reaches the Elite Eight for an 18th time in the past 20 seasons, a rematch of the 2024 quarterfinal against 1-seed USC feels almost inevitable.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • In September 2021, the Washington Post reported that protection for Trump’s four adult children cost taxpayers approximately $1.7 million, citing spending documents.
    Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • There are also approximately 32 are in criminal custody who have active detainers — that is, ICE has asked that they be held for up to 48 hours after they're scheduled to be released.
    Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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