NIGH Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

nigh 1 of 4

adjective

Definition of nigh

as in near

not being distant in time, space, or significance the end is nigh

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nigh

2 of 4

adverb

ˈnī

as in close

at, within, or to a short distance or time have worked for them for nigh on 10 years

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in almost

very close to but not completely he has nigh completed his degree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nigh

3 of 4

preposition

as in around

close to a field nigh the church

Synonyms & Similar Words

nigh

4 of 4

verb

as in to close

to come near or nearer as the hour of his death was nighing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to approach

to move closer to as the old man was nighing his hour of death

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 nigh

Adverb

The wildfires of rumour, once lit, are nigh impossible to extinguish. — Literary Hub, 28 May 2026 Equipment can fail; guidelines can break; visibility can become nigh on impossible. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 25 May 2026

Verb

Typically, his charges have shown the classic mental strength to get over the line in awkward games—with opposition teams having to execute their game plan to nigh on perfection to prosper in most cases. — Henry Flynn, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for nigh

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nigh

Adjective

The band frequently steers the poppy songwriting offroad by leaning into distortion and ambience, creating moments of both near-mania and hazy unease.

— Sue Park, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
On a near-weekly basis, Landsat 9 delivers observations of everything from deforestation to water quality and crop growth.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of near

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

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

Verb

The result offers researchers a different way to approach quantum material design.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
With Election Day approaching, California voters are facing a crowded ballot and competing claims about what the state's propositions would do.

— James Taylor, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of approach

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 â¦ 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

Yet the 103-win Milwaukee Brewers and 98-win Tampa Bay Rays were the best teams in their respective leagues practically all season.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, were practically inseparable in their final years.

— Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of practically

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nigh

adjective

adverb

preposition

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes