closing 1 of 3

noun

ˈklō-ziŋ How to pronounce closing (audio)
Definition of closingnext
as in ending
the last part of a process or action a stand-up comedian has to have a strong closing if he wants a spirited round of applause

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

closing

2 of 3

adjective

as in final
following all others of the same kind in order or time the orchestra's closing piece is traditionally the national anthem

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

closing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of close
1
as in shutting
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening be sure to close the gate when you leave

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2
as in closing (down)
to stop the operations of the merchant will close the store if business doesn't improve

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in finishing
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll close the assembly with the singing of our national anthem

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4
as in stopping
to come to an end the services closed with a short prayer

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5
as in approaching
to come near or nearer the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field

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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 closing
Noun
With the peloton boasting fresh legs, expect major fireworks in the closing kilometres. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 July 2026 The verdict came less than three hours after the closing arguments were delivered, according to USA Today. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Adjective
This is covered in a standard inspection, often called a pre-drywall or pre-closing inspection. — Ryan Brennan may 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026 Other alternatives such as offering a seller credit to cover potential post-closing assessments or adjusting the purchase price to reflect the risks of such costs are also being employed. — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
The 39-year-old is once again leading from the front, having scored seven times in the World Cup, and is even closing down Just Fontaine’s all-time record of 13 goals in a single tournament. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Oil prices, which skyrocketed for the first few months of the US-Israeli war with Iran, are now coming back down, closing a window of opportunity for Russia to use higher profits on its exports to close its widening budget deficit. — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for closing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for closing
  1. ending
  2. final
  3. shutting
  4. finishing
  5. stopping
  6. approaching
  7. conclusion
  8. last
Noun
  • Skratch also interviewed other sources for its story who hinted at potential infidelity by Mickelson amid abrupt endings of memberships at other golf clubs.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Wait, wasn’t the original happy ending supposed to have our protagonist pairing up with his son?
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of ending
Adjective
  • That deficit set off a litany of Boise chances in the final 10 minutes.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
  • That momentous draw came in the final group-stage game of the prestigious tournament.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Definition of final
Verb
  • In 2017, it was announced that the jail would be shutting its doors for good.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Although there’s been a little effort to pretty it up, like the series of murals installed in 2013 that were intended to capture the spirit of the track, it’s been doomed since around 2007, when Governor Eliot Spitzer proposed shutting it down.
    — Henry Kornaros, Curbed, 26 June 2026
Definition of shutting
Verb
  • Sakenis blocked two shots after finishing 11th in Division 1 in blocks per game last season.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • With just four laps remaining, there was every prospect of the race finishing under caution as there wouldn’t be time to reorder the cars and then conduct a restart.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of finishing
Verb
  • Technology led to the suspect's arrest Officers obtained doorbell camera footage, which showed a silver SUV stopping along a curb on Majors Choice Drive.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Its compact size and functional interior and exterior pockets will make zipping through airport security or stopping for gas on road trips a breeze — no more digging through disorganized totes to locate your wallet and phone.
    — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of stopping
Verb
  • With group play coming to a close and the Round of 32 approaching, the competition is heating up as teams look to punch their tickets to the knockout round in hopes of hoisting the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the final on Sunday, July 19.
    — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • With two or three roster spots still to fill for next season, the Heat is also on its way to approaching the first apron of $209 million.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of approaching
Noun
  • Instead of presenting a conclusion alone, the system can show the factors that contributed to a recommendation, including the data used, operational constraints considered, and alternative options that were evaluated.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
  • The company says the claims contain flawed conclusions and rejects the characterization of the technology as a botnet.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of conclusion
Adjective
  • The 7-2 Kessler missed most of last season because of a shoulder injury.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Deivis Ramos hasn’t cried since his daughters were killed in last Wednesday’s earthquakes.
    — Isa Soares, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of last

Browse Nearby Words

close-ups
closing
closing (down)
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Cite this Entry

“Closing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on closing

Nglish: Translation of closing for Spanish Speakers

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