NEARLY Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

nearly

adverb

ˈnir-lē

Definition of nearly

as in closely

to a close degree copy that design as nearly as you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

closely
near

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in almost

very close to but not completely I nearly fell down the stairs

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 nearly Kidan pleaded guilty in 2005 to fraud and conspiracy related to the purchase of a fleet of gambling boats, and in 2006 he was sentenced to nearly six years in prison. — Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 The result will see nearly every ABC News anchor and correspondent contributing, with segments from all 50 states and more than 60 live remotes. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026 Sandler's participation in the newlyweds' wedding ceremony comes nearly a year after the comedic actor co-starred in Happy Gilmore 2 with Kelce, who had a cameo in the sequel film. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 According to a New York Times report at the time, the two married in front of nearly 23,000 people, at a ceremony that turned into a full-fledged Sly and the Family Stone concert. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nearly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearly

Adverb

Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.

— KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Jonathan Anderson, the creative director behind Dior's women's, men's and haute couture collections, worked closely with the couple to create their wedding looks.

— Morgan Evans, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of closely

Adverb

Roberts doffed his cap in gratitude for a spirited postgame ovation from the fans here, almost all of them Dodgers fans.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
An index tracking semiconductor stocks has surged almost 88% since March, its best quarterly performance on record, according to FactSet data that goes back until to 1994.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

Definition of almost

Adverb

And unlike conventional transmissions with a finite number of gears, an eCVT can move through a practically infinite number of gear ratios over a specified range based on your preferred cadence.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 5 July 2026
Loose dresses are a lifesaver when humidity strikes, and this midi style was practically made for tropical temperatures.

— Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

Definition of practically

Browse Nearby Words

nearing

nearly

near miss

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of nearly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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