near 1 of 4

preposition

Definition of nearnext
as in around
close to please don't cough near me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

near

3 of 4

adverb

ˈnir How to pronounce near (audio)
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
as in closely
to a close degree copy the artist's drawing into your own sketchbook as near as you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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
Preposition
Temperatures will have a high near 85 with winds blowing northeast at 10-20 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph. — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 An oncoming truck struck and killed a 28-year-old Michigan man who was checking his vehicle for deer damage along Interstate 96 early Wednesday near Brighton, the Michigan State Police report. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
That was preceded by near-average water years in 2023-24 and 2024-25 — the longest run of near-average years since the 1990s, wrote Jay Lund, vice director of UC Davis’ Center for Watershed Sciences, in a post for the California Waterblog. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Trump is waging a campaign in the final moments of the midterm election to quell discontent among farmers, truckers and drivers exhausted by $4 gas and near-record diesel. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Protests over corruption lead to Vucic’s fall Vucic was seeking to become Serbia’s prime minister after serving two near-full terms as president. — CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 Police are investigating the shooting as the possible result of a road-rage encounter after reviewing surveillance video showing the victim's car had been involved in a near-collision with another driver before the shooting. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
Surgery Partners — Shares surged almost 25% after the Financial Times reported Sunday that Bon Secours Mercy Health was nearing a $6 billion takeover of the healthcare services company. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 Inventory gets more expensive as Black Friday nears, but by then shopping intent has already been building for weeks. — Tony Gonzalez, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for near
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near
  1. around
  2. relative
  3. living
  4. close
  5. familiar
  6. in
  7. closely
  8. almost
Preposition
  • Infection signs around the nose, mouth, ears, eyes or genital areas also warrant attention, the agency added.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Canada doubled down on its historic 24-21 win in Toronto last week with sustained defensive pressure and a withering three-try burst in nine minutes around the hour mark.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of around
Adjective
  • Georgia figures to enjoy a home-field advantage of sorts, fueled by local demand and the relative ease of getting to the game.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The company said almost all of that figure would come from its artificial intelligence business, which was — and is — in its relative infancy.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of relative
Adjective
  • The Luxury Pillow keeps your head and neck in the ideal position to stay asleep all night, made with soft bamboo viscose material that naturally repels common household non-living allergens.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • To overcome these limitations, the UMass Amherst researchers adopted a different approach, inspired by how living organisms distribute energy production throughout their tissues.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of living
Adjective
  • His closest competitor, Chris Brown, sang about navigating teenage love.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Here’s a closer look at where those marks rank in UM history.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of close
Adjective
  • Keep your eye on what gives you more freedom, not just what feels familiar.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Because the team that won the 2026 NBA championship weathered a storm that feels all-too familiar in a 0-3 start to their reign as NBA champions this season.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adverb
  • Reaching 40,000 would mean growing that number roughly eighty-fold in about six years.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Take the quiz here ⦠LISTEN Tune in as Florida's race for governor heats up, with rising living costs, property taxes, insurance rates, and campaign debates taking center stage.
    — , FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of in
Adverb
  • The designation by the Energy Department means that more federal financing will be available for helium producers and that the government will monitor it more closely.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Even so, should Democrats take back the House next month, Musk would face congressional investigations — and lawmakers would closely scrutinize any attempts to merge his companies.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of closely
Adverb
  • Dominguez has been funded almost entirely by the teachers union.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Recorded live in a Norwegian church with the British organist Kit Downes, the album consists almost entirely of pipe organ and Sundfør’s steadfast, saintly voice.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of almost

Phrases Containing near

Browse Nearby Words

Neanderthals
near
nearby
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Cite this Entry

“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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