the Near East
noun
: the countries of northern Africa and southwestern Asia that are on or near the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea
Examples of the Near East in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Past analyses of cave paintings and animal remains found at archaeological sites across the Sahara have suggested its inhabitants were pastoralists who herded sheep, goats or cattle, prompting some researchers to hypothesize the herders spread from the Near East where farming originated.
—
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
According to the United Nations, the war in Gaza has driven the surge in casualties in 2024, with at least 333 humanitarian personnel killed since October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, most of whom were staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Located in what is now Turkey, Lydia sat on the cusp between the Mediterranean and the Near East, and commerce with foreign travelers was common.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 May 2012
Emily Damari, a former Hamas hostage who was released in the most recent ceasefire deal, alleged she was held at a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facility while in captivity.
—Rachel Wolf, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the Near East
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.
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
According to the United Nations, the war in Gaza has driven the surge in casualties in 2024, with at least 333 humanitarian personnel killed since October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, most of whom were staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Located in what is now Turkey, Lydia sat on the cusp between the Mediterranean and the Near East, and commerce with foreign travelers was common.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 May 2012
Emily Damari, a former Hamas hostage who was released in the most recent ceasefire deal, alleged she was held at a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facility while in captivity.
—Rachel Wolf, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the Near East
Cite this Entry
“The Near East.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Near%20East. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share