not nearly
idiom
: much less than : not at all
There's not nearly enough flour for a cake here.
It's not nearly as late as I thought it was.
Examples of not nearly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The problem of unchecked power is not nearly counterbalanced by any number of indulgences the wielder of that power deigns to bestow.
—
Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
But many health experts say that’s not nearly enough.
—Selina Wang, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Inman Grant’s job is not nearly done.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Naturally, the everyday person is not nearly as successful as an NFL player.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not nearly
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.
Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
But many health experts say that’s not nearly enough.
—Selina Wang, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Inman Grant’s job is not nearly done.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Naturally, the everyday person is not nearly as successful as an NFL player.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not nearly
Cite this Entry
“Not nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20nearly. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share