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close 1 of 5

Definition of closenext
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as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors the election results were so close that the votes had to be recounted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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close

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verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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close

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adverb

close

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noun (1)

as in courtyard
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls) a garden in a close at the center of the complex

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

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noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective close contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of close are miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When can miserly be used instead of close?

The synonyms miserly and close are sometimes interchangeable, but miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would niggardly be a reasonable alternative to close?

Although the words niggardly and close have much in common, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

In what contexts can parsimonious take the place of close?

While in some cases nearly identical to close, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When is it sensible to use penurious instead of close?

The meanings of penurious and close largely overlap; however, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When could stingy be used to replace close?

In some situations, the words stingy and close are roughly equivalent. However, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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 close
Adjective
The second-closest competitor is the Patriots’ TreVeyon Henderson, who is at +5,500 odds, per FanDuel. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026 This was most evident early as the Chiefs started dropping close games. Jesse Newell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
After 11 years, Blaze Pizza recently closed at The Village at Meridian. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026 More than a year after it was completed, the Smith Canal Gate was closed Monday because water levels rose to 8 feet, along with some other factors, including rising king tides and precipitation, according to Darren Suen, San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency executive director. Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Adverb
The game stayed close throughout the fourth quarter. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026 Four years earlier, in May 2021, a great blaze had swept close enough to singe the trees around us. Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Video captured by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross gives a raw, up-close perspective of the pivotal moments surrounding his fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Holmes Lybrand, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026 Guild week is coming to a close with the 2026 Producers Guild Awards nominations, and the near slaughter for Neon’s international-film slate has continued. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • As Beck spoke on the crowded field afterward, Cristobal swept past and stopped for quick bear hug.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • These tools aim to let someone move through a lobby, down a sidewalk, through a crowded hall, without having to stop and reassess every few feet.
    Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Their concerns included the staff layoffs, the near budget shortfall in 2025, and changes to school operations.
    Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Many were shown as consumer-ready systems, complete with pricing, subscriptions, and near-term availability.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • During this time frame, a narrow, intense lake-effect snow band, only about 10 miles wide, will be capable of thunder, wind gusts near 35 mph and near-zero visibility at its peak.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The climb is infamous for its heart-pumping switchbacks and vertiginous jaunt along a narrow sliver of crag.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • At that point, the operator would recite the most intimate details of a patient’s health history to hook her before launching into a few basic screening questions.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The couple tied the knot in an intimate wedding on June 10, 2003, according to an anniversary X post.
    Alexandra Hurtado, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • As Jaclyn and Kate wax poetic about a dream vacation that never happened, Laurie’s weary, silent glances seem to tee up an explosive confrontation.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Tisdale refused to stay silent, and texted the group after being left behind on another plan.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China have designed a new sodium-sulfur battery with higher power density and discharge capacity than before, enabling a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Fentanyl is cheap, compact, and lethal at microscopic doses, produced through decentralized networks designed to survive disruption.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Despite breathless headlines warning of a robot takeover in the workforce, a new research briefing from Oxford Economics casts doubt on the narrative that artificial intelligence is currently causing mass unemployment.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Their work was defined by stressfully cascading plots, breathless energy and ingenious street-level filmmaking, both in the casting (led by Safdie’s longtime colleague Jennifer Venditti) and actual shooting locations.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Mostly, though, Boland strangles batters with his suffocating and deadly-accurate line and length.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Comedians can sometimes be eerily accurate in the way their jokes predict the future.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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