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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nearness
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
Noun
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The intimacy of all her personal relationships lend meaning to whatever look Moore finds herself in.—
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The couple appears opposite Jason Isaacs and Kate Dickie for a chilly descent into the instability of intimacy, making a buzzy, fierce first impression on the film festival circuit last year.—
Noun
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When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
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Lots of outdoor activities make the city a win for families, retirees, and couples, and the proximity to Austin is a perk for commuters and those looking for more affordable homes outside the capital.—
Noun
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Where the image of Hussein communicated consequence through visual degradation, the image of Maduro diffuses consequence through familiarity, structuring interpretation not through rupture, but through normalization.—
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The veteran correspondent and author volunteered to go the chaotic scene because of his personal connection and familiarity with the area.—
Noun
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Since the suitcase won’t be as easy to zip open, thieves will have a harder time seeing whether or not your belongings are valuable; this alone could prevent your bag from becoming a target.—
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For him, an essential part of feeling a sense of belonging is reconnecting with his cultural heritage, ancient practices and ancestral energy.—
Noun
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His choice to so closely blend his personality with his career resembles a lyricist writing diaristic songs, encouraging a sense of kinship between him and his audience.—
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Largely transactional, its partnerships are not grounded in moral obligation or historical kinship.—
Cite this Entry
“Nearness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nearness. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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