as in almost
very close to but not completely
it was well-nigh dark, but I could still see a little
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Recent Examples of well-nigh
At Calder Gardens, art, architecture, and horticulture achieve a well-nigh perfect equilibrium.
—
Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025
The journey along the Gemini, which measured only 18 feet and five inches from bow to stern, proved to be well-nigh impossible.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Right now, though, a coherent A.I. policy seems well-nigh inconceivable.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
In my book, Peter Seidler was a model citizen, a well-nigh heroic one.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025
The journey along the Gemini, which measured only 18 feet and five inches from bow to stern, proved to be well-nigh impossible.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Right now, though, a coherent A.I. policy seems well-nigh inconceivable.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
In my book, Peter Seidler was a model citizen, a well-nigh heroic one.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well-nigh
Adverb
-
First, since no one actually knows the future, guessing, speculating, or simply making things up remains the state of the art for almost everyone involved in describing it.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Over the next seven years, the number of pharmacies contracted with 340B providers, nationwide, grew from 1,300 to almost 20,000.—
Dené K. Dryden,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
Adverb
-
For her, this was practically homicidal aggression.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
And now in Florida practically anyone can openly carry a gun.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Adverb
-
Leonard had a similar shot for the Raptors that won a series, but the bounce off the heel of the rim and in was nearly identical to Haliburton’s for the Indiana Pacers last year.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
2 May 2026
-
Authorities say Walton, who was nearly entirely in the roadway, then placed the vehicle in drive and intentionally accelerated forward, striking the victim.—
Stepheny Price , Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2026
Adverb
-
Kovač attended her first Leaders Program sessions virtually, during the pandemic.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Their container, a rectangular cell, can grow to virtually any length and width — but must allow chloroplasts to pack when lights are dim and hide along its walls when light shines brightly.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Well-nigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well-nigh. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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