1
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
as in living
closely resembling the object imitated
the dress is made from a near silk that would fool anyone but an expert
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
3
as in almost
very close to but not completely
it's near six o'clock, so we should start preparing dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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
Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2026
When affordable homes are built near jobs, schools and everyday services, families are more stable, businesses can better retain workers and the entire region is stronger.
—Ryan Von Weller, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
Rather than their usual inswinger towards one of their towering centre-backs, Noni Madueke played a low pass to Kai Havertz on the near side of the Newcastle box.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Down 2-1 in the 11th minute of stoppage time, Pinnock’s pass was flicked on by Sowunmi at the near-post and nodded down by striker Marcus Dinanga for 18-year-old George Evans to score.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
Still, Michael has exceeded expectations at the box office, with projections between $94 million and $100 million domestically and a global launch nearing $200 million as of Saturday, despite a wave of negative reviews from critics.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
Springtown and Parker County damage Parker County fire officials told KTVT-TV that at least one death was reported near Springtown.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2026
When affordable homes are built near jobs, schools and everyday services, families are more stable, businesses can better retain workers and the entire region is stronger.
—Ryan Von Weller, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The nearest major airport is Tucson International Airport (TUS), though Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and El Paso International Airport (ELP) are also viable options.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
Rather than their usual inswinger towards one of their towering centre-backs, Noni Madueke played a low pass to Kai Havertz on the near side of the Newcastle box.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Adverb
The potential for combustion was always present, the end of civility always near.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Down 2-1 in the 11th minute of stoppage time, Pinnock’s pass was flicked on by Sowunmi at the near-post and nodded down by striker Marcus Dinanga for 18-year-old George Evans to score.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Washington appears to be gearing up for a resumption of the conflict, with analysts noting a massive military airlift nearing the scale of that during the buildup before the first strikes against Iran.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
Still, Michael has exceeded expectations at the box office, with projections between $94 million and $100 million domestically and a global launch nearing $200 million as of Saturday, despite a wave of negative reviews from critics.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
Set one clear boundary around your time today and follow it so your work stays consistent and controlled.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Our impressively multicultural team of street racers now freelance in the shadowy and complex world of covert ops, jetting around the world to take down an increasingly unhinged array of nihilist supervillains.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Zachary Schermele On the heels of a frightening shooting over the weekend, the royal address seemed to bring Washington together in a moment of relative unity at a time when it was needed.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
New Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has endorsed the talks but his relative silence and non-visibility have created space for Iran’s various internal factions to disagree over the way forward.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Today, the shuttered community center is a modern co-living apartment boasting a theater and fitness space.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Now, scientists have created a highly efficient AI model that hints at how living brains are able to do so much with so little, a team reports in the journal Nature.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Because the Celtics, provided they close-out the 76ers, have the kind of shooters the Hawks don’t.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Qatar could deepen its already close defense ties to Turkey, and China, which is close to Iran, could play a greater diplomatic role.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez is a lead contender to replace Morales, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This takes the Hylian magic of Nintendo’s long-running RPG game and brings it to the modern gamer in ways both familiar and unique.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Win it, and suddenly the series tightens, the doubt creeps in and the path gets a lot more complicated for Orlando.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Invite someone in, agree on a clear next step, and follow through together so momentum builds without confusion or mixed signals.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
At Morgan Lewis, Rinehart will work closely with Colleen Nihill, the chief AI and knowledge management officer, to align on the firm’s data and AI initiatives.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
When selecting a sprinkler, look for one with a coverage pattern that most closely matches the area to be irrigated (the shape and size of the space the sprinkler covers should be listed on the package).—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Since May 1996, a group of neighbors has met almost every month to talk about books.—
Maggie Penman,
Washington Post,
1 May 2026
-
The World Bank estimated that an extended disruption could drive energy prices up by almost a quarter compared to 2025; the strait cannot quickly be replaced, Morningstar analysts warned in a note to clients.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
