as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a hairbreadth victory, but a victory nevertheless
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
or hairsbreadth
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
just missed the bull's-eye by a hairbreadth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hairbreadth
Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Adjective
In the end, Cuellar and his corporate backers carried the day (one marked also by the Uvalde school massacre), albeit by a hairbreadth margin.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Noun
Should the electoral officials’ math hold up, the hairbreadth victory is likely to provide only limited comfort to Mr. del Mazo’s party.
—Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hairbreadth
Adjective
-
Under the new Medicare Advantage plan, retirees would face narrower provider networks and potentially higher out-of-pocket expenses for out-of-network care.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
Spotlights provide a narrower beam of light that is better for seeing long distances.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Weather experts predict that the Philadelphia area will get 1-2 inches of rain between Thursday evening and Friday morning.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
-
The actual sensor is roughly an inch wide, and the band is slightly thinner than that.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Melania Trump wears black veil to Pope Francis' funeral as President Trump dons blue suit As the president's second term in office passes the 100-day mark, here is a closer look at the first lady's lookbook.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Traders are also keeping a close eye on trade developments or escalation of tensions between the U.S. and China.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Dodgers again avoided the worst but don’t know when their top relief ace from last October will be back.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Derek Bashford Carlsbad Boys volleyball Pounding six service aces as well as collecting eight kills, the senior led the red-hot Lancers (15 straight victories) to a key 25-20, 25-11, 31-29 victory over Torrey Pines in North County Coastal League action.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Yet, what is already very clear, as studios and streamers try to figure out next steps, is that the Governor of California won’t be playing a supporting role.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
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However, as artificial intelligence accelerates creative content and businesses, IP ownership should be one of the first steps.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Noun
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That means everything from proper care hair to talking through how people may treat you differently based on the color of your skin.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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The research, collected in 2021, focused on Black and Latina women after previous studies showed they are more often exposed to formaldehyde in nail and hair products than white women.—
Ronnie Cohen,
NPR,
8 May 2025
Noun
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On Wednesday evening, a jury found Samson Allen guilty on charges of resisting arrest and obstructing justice during a police encounter last June that culminated in the arresting officer pressing his knee to the young Meridian man’s neck.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2025
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For a sheer moment, turn to the brand-new Ultra Fine Mesh Brief Bodysuit, whose scoop neck and wrap tie will elevate your beach vacation’s OOTD pictures.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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