1
as in secrecy
the practice or habit of keeping secrets or keeping one's affairs secret
we tried to penetrate her strange closeness about her domestic life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in economy
the quality or practice of being overly sparing with money
rebelled against his parents' closeness with his allowance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accuracy
the quality or state of being very accurate
the body was too decomposed to estimate the time of death with any great closeness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in intimacy
the state of being in a very personal or private relationship
the closeness of their relationship was a matter of intense speculation among their coworkers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in proximity
the state or condition of being near
we were surprised by the closeness of everything to our downtown loft
Synonyms & Similar Words
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6
as in carefulness
strict attentiveness to what one is doing
how much you get out of the sermon will depend on the closeness with which you listen to it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of closeness
Yet this closeness came at a cost.
—
Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Quattrone and Lim kept a feeling of closeness and intimacy throughout the sprawling property by adding sumptuous fabrics and artwork with personal significance.
—Camille Okhio, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026
In this particular case, Elordi’s Venus in Cancer seeks closeness, comfort and emotional security, while Jenner’s Uranus in Capricorn craves independence, space and doing things on her own terms.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Austin is clever enough to suspect that Lindsay is trying to get something out of her sudden closeness with Ashley, but Ashley doesn’t want to hear it.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
That closeness is what makes the tension hit harder.
—Ryan Brennan
april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
People with an avoidant attachment style (answer B) view closeness as a loss of independence and consequently withdraw or push someone away when a relationship becomes more intimate, Levine said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
That closeness of their friendship was also evident earlier this month when allegations against Swalwell gained traction on social media.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2026
Under Pew’s approach, the middle class can mathematically shrink even when everyone’s income rises substantially — because membership is defined by closeness to a median that keeps moving up.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Quattrone and Lim kept a feeling of closeness and intimacy throughout the sprawling property by adding sumptuous fabrics and artwork with personal significance.
—Camille Okhio, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026
In this particular case, Elordi’s Venus in Cancer seeks closeness, comfort and emotional security, while Jenner’s Uranus in Capricorn craves independence, space and doing things on her own terms.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Austin is clever enough to suspect that Lindsay is trying to get something out of her sudden closeness with Ashley, but Ashley doesn’t want to hear it.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
That closeness is what makes the tension hit harder.
—Ryan Brennan
april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
People with an avoidant attachment style (answer B) view closeness as a loss of independence and consequently withdraw or push someone away when a relationship becomes more intimate, Levine said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
That closeness of their friendship was also evident earlier this month when allegations against Swalwell gained traction on social media.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2026
Under Pew’s approach, the middle class can mathematically shrink even when everyone’s income rises substantially — because membership is defined by closeness to a median that keeps moving up.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for closeness
Noun
-
The April 26, 1986 disaster shone a spotlight on lax safety standards and government secrecy in what was then the Soviet Union.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
By the end of that show, the anxiety and isolation that freight life in the closet had burned away, leaving a happy, hopeful ending in place of familiar narrative disaster; love is found, secrecy is banished, and all is well.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The blue economy isn’t a subject matter that’s restricted to a single sector.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
At the same time, big, legacy airlines were selling their own basic economy fares that were similar to what Spirit was offering, but with bigger networks and more perks, like free wi-fi, food and more roomier seat options, as well as lounges.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Quijano's team was able to track the orbits of the 15 binary systems to millisecond accuracy.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In a separate homeowner lawsuit in Oklahoma state court, State Farm's lawyers said the company launched an initiative in 2020 to improve the accuracy of its claims-handling practices, including correcting overpayment and underpayment of claims for wind and hail damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This series has been distinguished by its intimacy, which comes with having access to the house in which Heuermann lived (and killed), and on-camera interviews with his ex-wife (who divorced Heuermann following his arrest) and his daughter.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Their rekindled relationship illustrates the dissonance of familial expectations and intimacy with a parent one barely knows.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because of its proximity to the airport, the playing field will be dug 80 feet below ground so that the structure will comply with FAA regulations.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
While the price hasn’t been disclosed, the neighborhood is known for its modern architecture, upscale residences, and close proximity to the city’s financial hub.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
McCarthy is not the first Hollywood conservative to discuss the industry’s secretiveness over Republicanism.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Pasquantino, who didn’t start the last two games due to low back tightness, hit a solo homer in the sixth inning and Jac Caglianone followed with his third homer as well.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
-
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner departed in the second because of neck tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Closeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closeness. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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