CLOSE SHAVE Synonyms: 7 Similar and Opposite Words

close shave

noun

ˈklōs-

Definition of close shave

as in narrow escape

a barely successful escape from something undesirable the passengers in the jeep had a close shave when a mine exploded just a few yards away

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misfire

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 close shave German consumer products company Braun spent more than 10 years rethinking the trade-off between a close shave and a comfortable one. — Nina Derwin, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Gesturing to the youngish man with the close shave, a simple come hither. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026 The shaver’s gold-foil covers are hypoallergenic and allow for a close shave without harmful lacerations. — Bria McNeal, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2026 Villa rely on its revenue to push their limits, so going another year on the outside will mean player sales, budget cuts and very, very close shaves with financial sanctions. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026 Speaking of a close shave, Cincinnati couldn't decide a winner between No 5. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2026 Last week, for example, a satellite recently deployed by a Chinese rocket gave a Starlink spacecraft a close shave, apparently without providing the proper warning ahead of time. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 18 Dec. 2025 The Torreys are accustomed to, pun intended, close shaves. — Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025 Our favorites helped our razors glide smoothly across the skin for an ultra-close shave, while aloe vera and almond oil soothed, hydrated, and enhanced the skin’s appearance — mitigating irritation. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for close shave

close call

Noun

Navigating Townsends Inlet in New Jersey has gotten so tricky that boat captains are reporting close calls with the bridge.

— Joe Holden, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Polls show a close call, but Prop 40 has already caused some of California’s wealthy to flee the state.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of close call

Browse Nearby Words

closes (down)

close shave

close shaves

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“Close shave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20shave. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of close shave

noun

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