Synonyms of close

close 1 of 6

adjective

ˈklōs 

1

as in crowded

having little space between items or parts

the soldiers marched in close formation against the enemy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crowded
• tight
• packed
• dense
• thick
• compact
• jammed
• serried
• squeezed
• pressed
• jam-packed
• overcrowded
• solid
• crammed
• crushed
• massed
• compressed
• hard
• airtight
• congested
• condensed
• snug
• compacted
• impervious
• firm
• wall-to-wall
• impenetrable
• impermeable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open
• loose
• airy
• spacious
• uncrowded
• roomy
• commodious

2

as in near

not being distant in time, space, or significance

my birthday is close to Christmas

a shopping mall that is very close to the highway

these words are close synonyms

Synonyms & Similar Words

• near
• immediate
• nearby
• neighboring
• coming
• proximate
• next-door
• convenient
• at hand
• nigh
• to hand
• adjacent
• adjoining
• handy
• close-up
• contiguous
• approaching
• abutting
• upcoming
• forthcoming
• bordering
• oncoming
• accessible
• close-in
• hand-to-hand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distant
• far
• deep
• remote
• away
• separated
• far-off
• faraway
• divorced
• removed

3

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

• narrow
• tight
• crowded
• neck and neck
• hairbreadth
• nip and tuck
• down-to-the-wire

4

as in intimate

closely acquainted

a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intimate
• familiar
• friendly
• tight
• near
• comfortable
• inseparable
• bosom
• inward
• affectionate
• dear
• loving
• chummy
• thick
• especial
• social
• easy
• adoring
• buddy-buddy
• gracious
• confidential
• convivial
• clannish
• boon
• cordial
• cozy
• companionable
• warm
• close-knit
• tight-knit
• devoted
• secretive
• affable
• hearty
• neighborly
• snug
• amicable
• sociable
• genial
• gregarious
• fond
• tender
• tenderhearted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distant
• distant
• remote
• cold
• withdrawn
• cool
• detached
• aloof
• unfriendly
• frosty
• antisocial
• reserved
• standoffish
• unsociable

5

as in silent

given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge

she was as close as a stone when it came to talking about her love life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• silent
• quiet
• secretive
• prudent
• dark
• closemouthed
• reticent
• discreet
• tight-mouthed
• uncommunicative
• reserved
• taciturn
• tight-lipped
• sneak
• clandestine
• secret
• surreptitious
• covert
• undercover
• furtive
• sneaky
• stealthy
• underhand
• underhanded
• hugger-mugger

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open
• communicative
• honest
• frank
• candid
• blunt
• outspoken
• up-front
• out-front
• tactless

6

as in careful

giving or sharing as little as possible

the kind of folks who are very close when charity calls

Synonyms & Similar Words

• careful
• tight
• pinching
• mean
• cheap
• selfish
• desirous
• greedy
• parsimonious
• sparing
• small
• miserly
• spare
• stingy
• conserving
• economical
• ungenerous
• closefisted
• saving
• tightfisted
• uncharitable
• pinchpenny
• niggardly
• chintzy
• penurious
• mingy
• stinting
• penny-pinching
• chary
• niggard
• shabby
• grasping
• thrifty
• economizing
• frugal
• avid
• sordid
• grudging
• covetous
• mercenary
• envious
• hoggish
• avaricious
• acquisitive
• itchy
• begrudging
• inhospitable
• skimping
• coveting
• rapacious
• resentful
• scrimping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• generous
• bountiful
• liberal
• charitable
• munificent
• bounteous
• unsparing
• openhanded
• unstinting
• free
• handsome
• unselfish
• lavish
• altruistic
• extravagant
• selfless
• hospitable
• benevolent
• overgenerous
• profuse
• kindly
• freehanded
• humanitarian
• compassionate
• philanthropic
• beneficent
• magnanimous
• philanthropical
• openhearted
• wasting
• wasteful
• dissipating
• greathearted
• unthrifty
• profligate
• prodigal
• spendthrift
• good-hearted
• squandering
• thriftless
• splurging
• frittering

7

as in breathless

lacking fresh air

a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• breathless
• suffocating
• thick
• stifling
• stuffy
• heavy
• oppressive
• airless
• unventilated
• fuggy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sweet
• breezy
• airy
• refreshing
• bracing
• brisk
• reviving
• restorative
• unstuffy
• refreshed
• ventilated
• invigorating

8

as in accurate

meeting the highest standard of accuracy

a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accurate
• precise
• mathematical
• fine
• exact
• careful
• rigorous
• pinpoint
• correct
• delicate
• strict
• right
• refined
• definite
• spot-on
• definitive
• true
• hairline
• nice
• subtle
• meticulous
• fastidious
• finicky
• finical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• round
• rough
• approximate
• wrong
• coarse
• inaccurate
• false
• loose
• incorrect
• imprecise
• inexact
• careless
• vague
• unclear
• doubtful
• indefinite
• untrue
• questionable
• unreliable
• dubious
• untrustworthy

close

2 of 6

verb

ˈklōz 

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

• shut
• lock
• seal
• slam
• make
• secure
• fasten
• steek
• latch
• chain
• bar
• bolt
• plug
• batten (down)
• stopper
• bang
• clap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open
• unlock
• unfasten
• unseal
• unlatch
• unbolt
• unchain
• unbar

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

• shut
• close (down)
• close out
• extinguish
• phase out
• suppress
• fail
• silence
• fold
• turn off
• quell
• muzzle
• gag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• start
• open
• build
• expand

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

• end
• finish
• conclude
• complete
• wind up
• terminate
• close out
• wrap up
• round (off or out)
• put paid to
• perfect
• crown
• ring down the curtain (on)
• consummate
• suspend
• climax
• stop
• halt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• begin
• open
• start
• commence
• inaugurate

4

as in to stop

to come to an end

the services closed with a short prayer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• end
• stop
• conclude
• expire
• halt
• cease
• pass
• go
• finish
• terminate
• die
• determine
• wind up
• discontinue
• leave off
• quit
• lapse
• stall
• wink (out)
• break off
• break up
• elapse
• let up
• bite the dust
• dead-end
• stay
• refrain (from)
• desist (from)
• cut out
• lay off (of)
• suspend
• pause
• pack (up or in)
• break down
• give over
• knock off
• wind down
• peter (out)
• conk (out)
• abate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• persist
• hang on
• extend
• draw out
• prolong
• protract

5

as in to come

to come near or nearer

the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

• come
• near
• approach
• come up
• close in
• draw on
• reach
• arrive
• nigh
• belly up
• hit
• attain
• land
• gain
• show up
• turn up
• make
• touch
• verge
• border
• sneak up
• creep up
• waltz (up)
• adjoin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdraw
• retire
• retreat
• recede
• back (up or away)
• leave
• go
• remove
• exit
• quit
• walk out
• run away
• pull out
• depart
• clear out
• take off
• shove (off)
• light out

close

3 of 6

adverb

ˈklōs 

as in in

at, within, or to a short distance or time

the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• in
• near
• nearby
• around
• by
• at hand
• at close quarters
• nigh
• hard
• within call
• along
• on one's doorstep
• thereabout
• hereabout
• alongside
• hereabouts
• conveniently
• handily
• hereaways
• hereaway
• thereabouts
• accessibly

close

4 of 6

noun (1)

ˈklōs 

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

• courtyard
• quadrangle
• patio
• enclosure
• yard
• court
• inclosure
• quad
• plaza
• square
• place
• atrium
• deck
• terrace
• peristyle
• forecourt
• parvise
• galleria
• curtilage
• parvis

close

5 of 6

noun (2)

ˈklōz 

1

as in ending

the stopping of a process or activity

at the close of the evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ending
• halt
• end
• cessation
• closure
• conclusion
• stop
• stay
• finish
• shutdown
• cutoff
• cease
• offset
• expiration
• termination
• stoppage
• shutoff
• arrest
• discontinuance
• discontinuation
• check
• closedown
• lapse
• pause
• surcease
• arrestment
• suspension
• standstill
• interruption
• break
• phaseout
• abeyance
• moratorium
• layoff
• mop-up
• letup

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuation
• continuance
• extension
• persistence
• prolongation

2

as in conclusion

the last part of a process or action

managed to conduct the negotiations to a satisfactory close

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ending
• conclusion
• closing
• end
• finale
• culmination
• finish
• grand finale
• consummation
• climax
• endgame
• homestretch
• finis
• windup
• capper
• wrap-up
• top
• pinnacle
• peak
• mop-up
• high-water mark
• apex
• summit
• zenith
• copestone
• crescendo
• tip-top
• coup de grace
• crown
• meridian
• capstone
• aftermath
• acme
• epilogue
• tail end
• coda
• postscript
• coup de grâce
• tag end
• epilog
• anticlimax
• shank

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• beginning
• opening
• start
• baseline
• dawn
• day one
• introduction
• prelude
• preface
• overture
• nascence
• nascency
• foreword
• preamble
• prologue
• prolog

closeness

6 of 6

noun (3)

1

as in secrecy

the practice or habit of keeping secrets or keeping one's affairs secret

we tried to penetrate her strange closeness about her domestic life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• secrecy
• secretiveness
• prudence
• privacy
• silence
• confidentiality
• wariness
• reticence
• discretion
• circumspection
• discreetness
• taciturnity
• stealth
• subterfuge
• concealment
• furtiveness
• shiftiness
• slyness
• reserve
• covertness
• underhandedness
• sneakiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• openness
• honesty
• frankness
• candor
• indiscretion
• imprudence

2

as in economy

the quality or practice of being overly sparing with money

rebelled against his parents' closeness with his allowance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economy
• tightness
• cheapness
• saving
• economizing
• pinching
• niggardliness
• miserliness
• stinginess
• managing
• providence
• parsimony
• conserving
• tightfistedness
• cheeseparing
• conservation
• frugality
• husbanding
• penuriousness
• thrift
• penny-pinching
• husbandry
• skimping
• scrimping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• generosity
• liberality
• unselfishness
• bounty
• largess
• philanthropy
• largesse
• extravagance
• lavishness
• openheartedness
• bountifulness
• dissipation
• openhandedness
• wastefulness
• improvidence
• prodigality
• squandering

3

as in accuracy

the quality or state of being very accurate

the body was too decomposed to estimate the time of death with any great closeness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accuracy
• precision
• preciseness
• perfection
• fidelity
• exactness
• truth
• exactitude
• fineness
• definiteness
• rigor
• definitiveness
• veracity
• accurateness
• rigorousness
• nicety
• delicacy
• ultraprecision
• strictness
• rightness
• correctness
• subtlety
• fastidiousness
• determinacy
• meticulousness
• carefulness
• definitude
• care
• persnicketiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roughness
• approximation
• inaccuracy
• coarseness
• imprecision
• roundness
• inexactness
• wrongness
• carelessness
• falsity
• impreciseness
• inexactitude
• looseness
• falseness
• incorrectness
• vagueness
• indefiniteness
• guesswork

4

as in intimacy

the state of being in a very personal or private relationship

the closeness of their relationship was a matter of intense speculation among their coworkers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intimacy
• familiarity
• belonging
• kinship
• friendship
• nearness
• love
• affection
• inseparability
• chumminess
• immediacy
• affinity
• commitment
• devotion
• fidelity
• faithfulness
• fellowship
• attachment
• passion
• fondness
• mutuality
• constancy
• cordiality
• goodwill
• amity
• devotedness
• geniality
• conviviality
• affability
• clubbiness
• cliquishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distance
• coldness
• coolness
• reserve
• remoteness
• aloofness

5

as in proximity

the state or condition of being near

we were surprised by the closeness of everything to our downtown loft

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proximity
• immediacy
• nearness
• contiguity
• propinquity
• vicinity
• adjacency
• juxtaposition
• abutment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distance
• remoteness

6

as in carefulness

strict attentiveness to what one is doing

how much you get out of the sermon will depend on the closeness with which you listen to it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• carefulness
• attention
• care
• precision
• scrupulousness
• pains
• meticulousness
• conscientiousness
• concentration
• effort
• meticulosity
• heed
• observation
• heedfulness
• focus
• watchfulness
• vigilance
• observance
• mindfulness
• alertness
• responsibility
• exactness
• advertency
• particularity
• advertence
• punctiliousness
• dutifulness
• painstaking
• irreproachability
• trouble
• irreproachableness
• bother

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negligence
• inattentiveness
• heedlessness
• inattention
• inadvertence
• inadvertency
• inobservance

Examples of close in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The issue of Taiwan has become a major point of contention between China and the US, which maintains close but informal relations with Taipei and is bound by law to supply the island with weapons to defend itself. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 1 Oct. 2024

Rabbits should be housed indoors and only allowed outside in secure areas with close supervision. —Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024

Verb

Given a consistent annual 15% churn rate, the number of households that subscribe to one of the two legacy DBS services could be whittled down to just 11.2 million by the time the deal closes. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2024

Tens of millions of voters, fearing another Trump Presidency, had little choice but to close their eyes and think of America. —The Editors, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2024

Adverb

If the Republicans who brought the case prevail in peeling back these mail-in voting provisions, the general election could become even closer across the country. —Isabella Murray, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2024

The military relationship between Iran and Russia has grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. —Tim Lister, CNN, 11 Sep. 2024

Noun

Before October comes to a close, your celestial ruler, Mercury, will oppose Uranus on Oct. 30, bringing unexpected shifts and information, particularly around matters of travel, education and self-exploration. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024

After eight days of shows in the City of Light, Paris Fashion Week has come to a close. —Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Oct. 2024

Phrases Containing close

• at close quarters
• close (down)
• close (off)
• close call
• close in
• close one's doors (to)
• close one's eyes to
• close out
• close ranks
• close shave