Synonyms of near

near 1 of 4

preposition

as in around

close to

please don't cough near me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• around
• beside
• at
• across
• next door to
• by
• about
• along
• nigh
• toward
• next to
• alongside
• circa

near

2 of 4

adjective

1

as in closer

being the less far of two

grab the comforter from the near side of the bed and fold it in half

Synonyms & Similar Words

• closer
• this
• front
• hither
• inside
• nigher
• fore
• forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• that
• other
• opposite
• further
• farther
• far
• distant
• remote
• outside
• back
• remoter

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

• relative
• almost
• approximate
• comparative
• similar
• comparable
• equivalent
• alike
• equal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• perfect
• complete
• absolute
• pure
• outright
• real
• true
• unqualified
• downright
• out-and-out
• genuine

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

• living
• realistic
• natural
• naturalistic
• like
• similar
• comparable
• vivid
• lifelike
• close
• three-dimensional
• graphic
• compelling
• true
• matching
• accurate
• approximate
• photo-realistic
• convincing
• alike
• analogous
• resembling
• akin
• faithful
• expressive
• verisimilar
• gritty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• off
• unlike
• unrealistic
• unnatural
• dissimilar
• different
• incomparable
• unmatched
• nonnatural
• disparate
• nonrealistic
• contrasting
• unalike
• mock
• fake
• phony
• sham
• contrasted

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

5

as in familiar

closely acquainted

only her nearest friends know she's pregnant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

near

3 of 4

adverb

ˈnir 

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

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

2

as in closely

to a close degree

copy the artist's drawing into your own sketchbook as near as you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

• closely
• nearly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remotely
• distantly

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

• almost
• practically
• nearly
• somewhere
• fairly
• about
• virtually
• most
• pretty much
• just about
• nigh
• as good as
• fair
• more or less
• next to
• much
• feckly
• mostly
• within an inch of
• well-nigh
• borderline
• all but
• mainly
• largely
• somewhat
• chiefly
• partially
• by and large
• partly
• appreciably
• kind of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• quite
• entirely
• completely
• fully
• absolutely
• well
• altogether
• thoroughly
• wholly
• plain
• totally
• plumb
• utterly
• barely
• hardly
• scarcely

4

as in approximately

close to but not exactly

it takes somewhere near an hour to get there

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approximately
• around
• about
• roughly
• say
• some
• somewhere around
• somewhere about
• nearly
• after a fashion
• much
• like
• plus or minus
• more or less
• generally
• practically
• loosely
• virtually
• nominally
• well-nigh
• kind of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• precisely
• exactly
• even
• just
• sharp
• squarely
• due
• smack-dab

near

4 of 4

verb

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to approach

to move closer to

as we near the church, you'll be able to see the bas-relief sculptures better

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approach
• come
• enter
• nigh
• advance
• drop in
• pop (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• go
• withdraw
• leave
• recede (from)
• retreat
• depart
• exit

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of near

Preposition

Alexander was a hunter and gamekeeper on the Auch Estate, a massive 68-square mile farm in the Scottish Highlands near Bridge of Orchy. —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026

Earlier on Sunday, a cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz said it was attacked by multiple small boats, marking the first such incident since April 22. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 May 2026

Adjective

The nearest major airport is Tucson International Airport (TUS), though Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and El Paso International Airport (ELP) are also viable options. —Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026

Rather than their usual inswinger towards one of their towering centre-backs, Noni Madueke played a low pass to Kai Havertz on the near side of the Newcastle box. —Mark Carey, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Adverb

Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015, breaking a then 37-year-old hex that created a near cathartic roar at Belmont Park. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 1 May 2026

The decision highlights the near-complete discretion law enforcement agencies have to withhold records from the public in criminal matters. —Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 1 May 2026

Verb

Earlier this year, Judge William Orrick praised Mayor Barbara Lee and Interim Police Chief James Beere — who has submitted his name for consideration in the permanent chief search — for department reforms, hinting that Oakland may be nearing the finish line. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 1 May 2026

The 2026 primary election is nearing. —Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026

Phrases Containing near

• far and near
• near escape
• near miss