close 1 of 5

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2
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as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors the election results were so close that the votes had to be recounted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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close

2 of 5

verb

1
as in to shut
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening be sure to close the gate when you leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to close (down)
to stop the operations of the merchant will close the store if business doesn't improve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll close the assembly with the singing of our national anthem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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close

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adverb

close

4 of 5

noun (1)

as in courtyard
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls) a garden in a close at the center of the complex

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

5 of 5

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective close contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of close are miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When can miserly be used instead of close?

The synonyms miserly and close are sometimes interchangeable, but miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would niggardly be a reasonable alternative to close?

Although the words niggardly and close have much in common, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

In what contexts can parsimonious take the place of close?

While in some cases nearly identical to close, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When is it sensible to use penurious instead of close?

The meanings of penurious and close largely overlap; however, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When could stingy be used to replace close?

In some situations, the words stingy and close are roughly equivalent. However, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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 close
Adjective
Visitors can get up close and touch history at the ruins left behind. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025 The six-point halftime margin would be the closest Boise State would be to Nebraska for the rest of the game. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
Markets in Shanghai, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia were closed for holidays, limiting the scope of Friday’s sell-offs in Asia. Jiang Junzhe, Time, 4 Apr. 2025 The traffic alert was issued Friday at 9:27 a.m., and the last update regarding this incident was released on Friday at 9:48 a.m. Kansas City: I-70 closed The road is closed from 11th Street/Exit 2 to I-35/US-40/US-71/US-24/Exit 2 in Kansas City. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Michigan Central came in close behind with 15% (38), then the DIA, Belle Isle Conservatory, Masonic Temple and Renaissance Center. Between the lines: Nearly 13% of you chose to write in a candidate. Annalise Frank, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025 These neat rows of brick townhomes were situated close enough to the mills for the workers to be able to march down for their meals and be back at work within a thirty-minute window. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
The tariff announcement kicked off a breathtaking plunge in the U.S. stock market, and by close of trading Thursday afternoon the prices of Apple and Meta stock had plummeted 9%, and Santa Clara computer chip titan Nvidia was down nearly 8%. Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025 Shares of Boeing Company were slightly higher at the close after CEO Kelly Ortberg faced a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on safety concerns. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • In that crowded class of prospects, each star had his own identity.
    D. Watkins, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • As tensions threaten to turn to violence in the crowded train car, the officer arrives.
    EW.com, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tyler Stephenson is set to return for the Reds in the near future and Cincinnati recently locked up Trevino to a multi-year deal.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • To find the nearest Crumbl store near you, visit crumblcookies.com/stores.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The narrow five-game spread between the top and bottom performers illustrates the relative consistency in baseline predictive ability.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • This would seemingly narrow season 4's destinations down to... Will There Be a Season 4 of The White Lotus?
    Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The new releases arrive amid a fresh wave of activity for the duo, who kicked off their anniversary run in 2023 with a handful of intimate live shows, performing Moon Safari in full for the first time.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025
  • This novel is an intimate exploration into the impact of identity on ourselves, the true meaning of legacy and resentment and forgiveness between families.
    Angie Thomas, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Musk was silent on his X platform in the wake of Crawford’s victory, reposting a message about Vietnam and tariffs but nothing on the Supreme Court contest.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
  • While the Kardashians have remained publicly silent in response to his latest outburst, Ye’s ongoing battle with his former in-laws continues to play out in the public eye.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Although careful planning is essential, action generates momentum.
    Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But the discussion around Golden this season has been muted, strained and careful all the way to the end, Monday’s dramatic 65-63 comeback win against Houston to seize the title.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Moore sprinted down the field in celebration of his game-saving play with 29 seconds left that gave UCLA an unexpectedly breathless 27-20 victory.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Jerry Coyne has a post up which critiques an extremely breathless review of a new book, Epigenetics Revolution.
    Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2011
Adjective
  • Assuming that number is accurate, Rick would have been born around 1975, probably after Jim started doing business in Thailand.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
  • There's a free in-app voice transcription feature too, which is just as accurate as the pricier, stand-alone software out there.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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