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Definition of closenext
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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

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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

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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

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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
Blue Origin officials have been able to get a closer look in recent days at the site where the company's towering New Glenn rocket exploded in a dramatic fireball that rocked Florida. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 June 2026 Some of Stifel’s family members were close to the family that ran the bakery. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Verb
Northbound Minnesota Highway 51/Snelling Avenue/Hamline Avenue in Roseville and Arden Hills will close this weekend for resurfacing, according to state transportation officials. Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026 The doors open and close automatically. Jennifer Elias,mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Adverb
Buy mortgage points If you're already being quoted a rate close to 6%, purchasing mortgage points may help push it below that level. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 June 2026 Said was clean-shaven, with close-cropped, graying hair and thin, rectangular glasses. Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
Noun
The valiant effort was the impetus to a viable political career and is but one in a long line of accomplishments from the esteemed congresswoman, whose political career is now coming to a close. Miami Herald, 30 May 2026 Liverpool have been hamstrung by the absence of their four most important attackers through injury in recent weeks, but there has been little sign of improvement as the season draws to a close. James Pearce, New York Times, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • Located next door to California High School, the park can get crowded on summer weekends, but the grounds are spacious enough that visitors can spread out, including on the sloping lawn shaded by redwood trees.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
  • Mpox does not spread through incidental contact like brushing up against someone on a crowded train car, or shopping in the same store.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Gang intervention workers have been credited by city officials as one of the factors behind significant reductions in violent crime in recent years, with homicides and shootings both falling to near-historic lows.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • Multiple investigations at the state and local level are underway to unravel the full cause of the near disaster.
    Jason Henry, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie told CNN that rescue divers were teaching the villagers how to dive out of the cave themselves, as the space is narrow and water levels are not coming down despite efforts to pump the water out.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • Delegates to the state conventions don’t mirror the broader electorate, and their candidate selections can often represent more narrow preference of the party base.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • The area is typically used for couples who are trying to get away from the other Islanders to have intimate conversations.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
  • Possibly, details about your most intimate and personal life are on public display.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Candidates who challenge the powerful can draw strong but silent support, because there is open fear of reprisals from city officials against those who back any challenger to the people in charge.
    Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • First, there’s Green Chartreuse, a beguiling and almost hallucinogenically intense combination of 132 secret ingredients, which have been infused and distilled into high-proof alcohol by silent French monks since at least 1764, and probably quite a bit longer than that.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Strained by tighter budgets and product price increases, more shoppers are willing to ditch their favorite brand for a cheaper alternative, a new study finds.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • The simpler, cheaper, more snow-friendly autonomous driving hardware is welcome, too.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • There’s also much breathless appreciation of the fact that everything in the movie (like Summertime and Kwai) was real, giving the films an immersive quality that’s seldom equaled in the digital age.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026
  • Contrary to months of breathless headlines, the president’s base never deserted him and continues to punish those who defy him.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • Atlas benefits further from a simplified hardware design, featuring symmetrical limbs and just two actuator types, making simulation and transfer more accurate and efficient.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
  • They were armed with Glock pistols, which are only accurate for a short distance.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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