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Definition of narrownext
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as in close
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors a narrow gubernatorial contest, the outcome of which may depend upon a handful of votes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in parochial
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints tried to convince the narrow members of her family that there are many paths to a successful career that don't involve getting a university degree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

narrow

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noun

narrow

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verb

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 narrow
Adjective
Research from McKinsey’s 2025 Women in the Workplace report found employees become significantly less likely to see opportunities for advancement at senior levels as leadership pathways narrow. Christine Lentz, Fortune, 29 May 2026 Kohl's — Shares were up almost 11% after the retailer reported a narrower-than-expected loss in the first quarter. Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Noun
Many famed surf spots to the south — like Doheny, San Clemente and San Onofre — also have seen the beach narrow precipitously. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026 Dutch parliamentary election tests ruling far-right party Dutch voters cast ballots today in a parliamentary election in which a far-right party that led opinion polls for months has seen its advantage narrow into a three-horse race. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Sports should broaden opportunity, not narrow it. Prasad Krishnamurthy, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 And when coupled with statements Mangione is alleged to have made to law enforcement following his arrest, the strong physical evidence could narrow his defense options at trial. Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for narrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrow
Adjective
  • Said was clean-shaven, with close-cropped, graying hair and thin, rectangular glasses.
    Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
  • Expect body hair to thin, disappear, Alpinize.
    Sandra Cisneros, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • The National Federation of Independent Business has warned that small businesses and consumers who rely on energy, rather than oil giants, will end up holding the bag.
    Yaël Ossowski, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
  • But as funding from cap-and-invest and the climate bond dwindle, the state must increasingly turn to Cal Fire, which devotes only a small portion of its budget to mitigation work.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Steep price drops on the prospect of peace have pushed many oil bulls to the sidelines, leaving them to hold small positions for very limited periods of time, several traders said.
    Devika Krishna Kumar, Fortune, 6 June 2026
  • Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, said Canada was overreacting as Texas and USDA are moving quickly to contain and eradicate screwworm in a limited area of South Texas.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • But these suites are also closest to the elevators, and the historic walls don’t adequately muffle the sounds of other guests.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • Gertrud would keep the girls close, one on either side.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Of course, the ever-parochial instincts of Chicago, where neighborhood loyalties rule and aldermen are fiercely protective of their ward domains, means the decision on the location of any future Leo landmark could be contentious.
    Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
  • Besides, the budget has a little something for every lawmaker, with about 2,000 parochial projects sprinkled across the state, the vast majority sponsored by Republicans.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • That goes for fabric softener, coffee grounds, bay leaves, and sonic repellant devices, which have no scientific basis.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
  • The result is high-decibel acoustic loads that can cause structural damage as well as buffeting that can prevent the missile from even leaving the bay.
    David Szondy June 04, New Atlas, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • The morning of June 6, Mellor was back at Boston Logan airport for another trip to Havana, at a time when the United States is trying to tighten economic strings to choke Cuba’s government into change, and the country faces a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 6 June 2026
  • The law aimed to tighten pretrial release programs and secure public safety after a man stabbed Zarutska to death, unprovoked.
    Julia Coin June 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Then came last year’s The Most Dear and The Future, a slender collection of tracks that straddled a line between pop, ambient, folk, and dance with an air of rustic mysticism that seemed to travel through music circles like gossip bursting from localized containment.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
  • Within a year of his Vitali Daraselia Cup breakthrough, the slender winger made his Dinamo debut.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrow. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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