1
2
as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
the incessant busyness of the family next-door makes us look like we live in near retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in living
closely resembling the object imitated
the dress is made from a near silk that would fool anyone but an expert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
not being distant in time, space, or significance
the famous prediction that in the near future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in familiar
closely acquainted
only her nearest friends know she's pregnant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time
as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire as summer draws near, we usually start planning our annual vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in almost
very close to but not completely
it's near six o'clock, so we should start preparing dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in approximately
close to but not exactly
it takes somewhere near an hour to get there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to close
to come near or nearer
as the procession nears, you'll be able to take a better picture of the graduates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 near
Simon Constable, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Fofana was on the phone with a friend who told the family the two were talking about the cost of socks near Fofana’s job when the victim suddenly stopped speaking and the friend heard only background noise, the friend told the family.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The Americans are without their two starting center backs for at least the near future.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
Additional accumulations up to 3 inches near and west of US-395, with locally up to 5 inches in heavier snow bands near the Sierra crest.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Minutes later, the trooper neared the I-695 exit ramp to southbound Interstate 83 and observed the Jeep fully engulfed in flames in a grassy area next to the roadway, the release says.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Preposition
Violent assaults in France ranked near the middle of the OECD list with 310 cases per 100,000 in the population.
—Simon Constable, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Fofana was on the phone with a friend who told the family the two were talking about the cost of socks near Fofana’s job when the victim suddenly stopped speaking and the friend heard only background noise, the friend told the family.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Tyler Stephenson is set to return for the Reds in the near future and Cincinnati recently locked up Trevino to a multi-year deal.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The Americans are without their two starting center backs for at least the near future.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Keeler: Sienna Betts staked claim as Colorado’s greatest girls basketball player in Grandview’s state title win
To that end, each Yale player after their news conference had that same aerosol-sized can of portable oxygen waiting at, or near, their locker.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
Additional accumulations up to 3 inches near and west of US-395, with locally up to 5 inches in heavier snow bands near the Sierra crest.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
As the start of the service nears, the rabbi arrives.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Minutes later, the trooper neared the I-695 exit ramp to southbound Interstate 83 and observed the Jeep fully engulfed in flames in a grassy area next to the roadway, the release says.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
Preposition
-
The five-pocket jeans featured a baggy design from the seat of the pants to the denim piece’s hem with a nod to wide-leg styles featuring plenty of room around legs.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Here’s what to know about how countries around the world have begun responding to the whiplash.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The narrow five-game spread between the top and bottom performers illustrates the relative consistency in baseline predictive ability.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Yet despite its relative isolation, tourism to the Pacific Island country is only growing increasingly popular.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With Asian elephants—its closest living relatives—facing a 22-month pregnancy and a decade-long wait for maturity, researchers needed a faster way to test their genetic edits.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Six more living hostages returned this past Saturday, but with further outrages by Hamas.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
There are several international destinations where pickpocketing is extremely common, so having all of my essentials close is a priority.—
Jordyn Burrell,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Visitors can get up close and touch history at the ruins left behind.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And then, aren’t cats emblematic of whatever is familiar but ultimately unknowable?—
Barry Schwabsky,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Customers at Clark’s can expect a menu that looks familiar to those who enjoyed The Good Wurst.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
In addition, anime in and of itself is a very broad catch all term that could mean a plethora of different genres to an animation veteran.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
When waves wash in, the water flows out through the channels in strong currents that can surprise swimmers and waders and swiftly carry them away from the beach.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
David Tennant almost didn’t portray one of his most iconic roles to date.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Famously owned by the actor and musician for almost a decade until 2001, when the place traded hands for around $2.2 million, records show the property was last sold to politician Justin Aguilera and his beauty entrepreneur wife Candace in 2020 for nearly $3 million.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Mistress of Evil, which earned a lower total at approximately $491 million.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
The sea-urchin chandelier, which weighs approximately 155 pounds, is suspended from a chain that Mathieu (pictured) designed to conceal the cables running through it.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share