nearness

noun

Definition of nearnessnext
1
as in intimacy
the state of being in a very personal or private relationship my cousin and I have lost that nearness we had when we were kids

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proximity
the state or condition of being near our nearness to the theme park has made us beloved by relatives from all over the country

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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 nearness This can be blamed on the nearness of the fires (north of the Minnesota arrowhead region) and the shear number and size of fires in that area. — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 17 July 2026 The nearness of the zealous asteroid Eris in Aries adds a touch of drama and intensity to the cosmic atmosphere. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 10 June 2026 City officials say the project is complicated because of the nearness of the freeway and the Los Angeles River. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 That tension—between nearness and distance, inside and outside—defines the film’s structure and tone. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026 What a beautiful expression of God’s nearness and constant presence with us, acting on our behalf and truly caring for us, as much today as in biblical times. — Elizabeth Mata, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Jan. 2026 The nearness of bees, and of other things that agitate most people, calms me. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025 Overstating the nearness of human-level intelligence or ignoring ethical, safety, and energy concerns erodes trust and triggers backlash. — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearness
  1. intimacy
  2. proximity
  3. familiarity
  4. belonging
  5. kinship
Noun
  • Letters could sustain relationships between people separated by oceans, and sometimes those relationships achieved an intimacy unavailable to people who occupied the same rooms.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • That’s my own fear of intimacy, of getting involved in a community.
    — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimacy
Noun
  • What to do nearby The biggest reason to stay here is proximity to Denali National Park, less than two miles away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Lots of top-10 matchups between teams in close geographical proximity to each other.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of proximity
Noun
  • That could make online recommendations a more important influence on grocery purchases alongside price, packaging and brand familiarity.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But the familiarity of the fantasy elements and the brusqueness with which they’re treated would be forgivable if Wildwood did a better job exploring how the real world connects to the magical side of the story.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of familiarity
Noun
  • There’s room for belongings, a mini fridge for snacks and beers, separate work areas and comfortable beds.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Partly inspired by her time working as a museum security guard, they are often accompanied by water bottles, cushions, books, or other belongings that give a sense of the presence of the person who sits there.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of belonging
Noun
  • Government officials previously said that these 11 families split from a common male-line ancestor some 600 years ago, and are now at least 36 degrees of kinship from Naruhito.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
  • At first glance, their already tight kinship, and all their many overlapping businesses, suggest that a new SpaceX-Tesla makes sense.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of kinship

Browse Nearby Words

near misses
nearness
nears
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Cite this Entry

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

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