neck and neck

adverb or adjective

: very close (as in a race)

Examples of neck and neck in a Sentence

a neck and neck finish in which only a fraction of a second separated the winner from the runner-up
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Immigration turned out Trump’s base and was neck and neck with inflation in pushing swing voters to cast their ballots for him. Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2024 To start the third set, both teams were neck and neck. Antonio Chaurand, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2024 Polls indicate a similarly tight race this time around, with Harris and Trump nearly neck and neck, underscoring the importance of voter turnout and engagement in the state. By Nik Popli/east Lansing, Mich., TIME, 4 Nov. 2024 FanDuel’s model and odds now have Leclerc and Norris neck and neck to race down The Strip and past the Sphere for the win. Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for neck and neck 

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neck and neck was in 1672

Dictionary Entries Near neck and neck

Cite this Entry

“Neck and neck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neck%20and%20neck. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

neck and neck

adverb or adjective
: very close (as in a race)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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