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
-
The Horned Frogs gave up two late runs in a narrow 2-1 loss to Arizona in the championship game of the Big 12 Tournament on Saturday night at Globe Life Field.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 May 2025
-
The Formula 1 season moves to its most iconic venue this weekend, with the eighth round of the championship taking place around the narrow streets of Monaco.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Ouellette won the 1,600 title (Martin was second) and another senior Oliver Guzy won the long jump (22 feet, 3 ¼ inches) was second in the 300 hurdles.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
-
The Vario-Elmar is a little smaller (6.8 by 3.3 inches) and lighter at 2.2 pounds.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Among the close friends and family celebrating were Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
After the close, discount retailer Miniso Group (9896 HK, MSO US) missed Q1 estimates while online travel agency Tongcheng (780 HK) beat analyst expectations for Q1.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
O’Sullivan went to his ace to open the regional with his freshman jitters behind him.—
Jackson Castellano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2025
-
He’s not exactly built to be an innings-eating ace.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
While San Diego police banned the carotid restraint, the lawsuit alleges the department did not take steps to address the risks of holding people facedown.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
-
Trump's administration took steps to remove protections for thousands of Afghan refugees earlier this month, asking them to self-deport and officially terminating their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) amid an ongoing immigration crackdown.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Even tucked in a cover, your duvet is exposed to particles of skin, dust, oil, sweat, pet hair, and more, requiring just as much attention in your cleaning routine as other bedding and linens.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
-
None of Chandler's DNA was found at the murder scene, nor were any fibers found from her clothing, or any of her hair.—
Ruth Chenetz,
CBS News,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Pass's rich tone arose from a combination of using a pick and playing closer to the guitar neck.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
31 May 2025
-
One of the victims was slashed in the neck, cops said.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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