Synonyms of close
-
as in crowded 
-
as in near
-
as in narrow
-
as in intimate
-
as in silent
-
as in cheap
-
as in breathless
-
as in accurate
-
as in to shut
-
as in to close (down)
-
as in to end
-
as in to stop
-
as in to come
-
as in in
-
as in courtyard
-
as in ending
-
as in conclusion
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
1
as in crowded
having little space between items or parts
the soldiers marched in close formation against the enemy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in near
not being distant in time, space, or significance
my birthday is close to Christmas a shopping mall that is very close to the highway these words are close synonyms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
as in intimate
closely acquainted
a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
she was as close as a stone when it came to talking about her love life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in cheap
giving or sharing as little as possible
the kind of folks who are very close when charity calls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in breathless
lacking fresh air
a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
4
as in to stop
to come to an end
the services closed with a short prayer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to come
to come near or nearer
the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time
the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity
at the close of the evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action
managed to conduct the negotiations to a satisfactory close
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 close
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Pay close attention during walks.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
Investigators found no evidence of foul play and the case was closed as a non-criminal death investigation, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The Surrey team’s approach also simplifies the manufacturing process for high-performance sodium batteries, bringing large-scale, commercially viable energy storage a step closer.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
With advances in video technology, a group from Monash University in Australia are getting an up-close-and-personal look at how venomous viper, elapid, and colubrid snakes flex their fangs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close
Adjective
Here’s a closer look at trends shaping the denim industry.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Pay close attention during walks.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
But along with this and keeping the toilet lid closed when not in use, here are a few other tips for keeping the bathroom a safe and sanitary place.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
Investigators found no evidence of foul play and the case was closed as a non-criminal death investigation, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
During the event, Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) will pass about 56 million miles (90 million kilometers) from Earth, while Comet Swan (C/2025 R2) will soar even closer, at roughly 24 million miles (39 million km).
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The Surrey team’s approach also simplifies the manufacturing process for high-performance sodium batteries, bringing large-scale, commercially viable energy storage a step closer.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
And now with the fall sports season coming to a close, Hernandez is still eligible to compete in one more girls' track and field season in the spring.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
With advances in video technology, a group from Monash University in Australia are getting an up-close-and-personal look at how venomous viper, elapid, and colubrid snakes flex their fangs.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
-
For ten days in July, fighter jets roared, infantry exchanged fire in crowded streets, and mobile missile launchers twirled their payloads from sandy beachheads as part of its annual Han Kuang exercises.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Still, the incident highlights vulnerabilities in airport security, especially in crowded areas not overseen by TSA officers.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The first thing that needs rethinking is the role and location of camps, where most Gazans will need to reside in the near term.—
Shelly Culbertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Before getting protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1970, North Atlantic right whales were hunted commercially, which led to their near extinction in the early 1900s, according to the Marine Mammal Commission.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
United, some of whose senior leadership team, including its chief executive, Scott Kirby, came from American, has done the opposite and is in the process of adding thousands of screens to narrow-body planes both new and old, including Bluetooth technology for wireless headphones.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Fitzgerald was designed to carry as much cargo as possible and still fit through the narrow locks at Sault Ste.—
Kevin Duchschere,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Eleven men and women died in intimate partner homicides in 2024, nearly double the number killed the previous year, according to the annual Fatality Review Report for Tarrant County.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Through intimate interviews with players, coaches, parents, journalists and opponents, director Kevin Shaw probes media bias, racial stereotypes, community pride and the ethical complexities of youth sports—showing how a moment meant to celebrate young athletes became a lasting stigma.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That conversational access to the fine print not only saves keystrokes, but also reduces miscommunication, which is often the silent culprit behind change-order disputes and blown budgets.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
And the whole class is just silent.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But cattle producers say importing cheaper beef abroad could threaten domestic agriculture in the long run.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Gripen fighters have the reputation of being relatively cheap and easy to maintain and arm, and able to operate in austere conditions – using roads or even dirt roads for runways.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Her voice went breathless again.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Arsenic and Old Lace moves at a breathless pace with our leading man's escalating horrific discoveries.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Many experts donated years of their time and decades of expertise to help me make these depictions as rich and accurate as possible.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
These projections have been fairly accurate over the past decade, with sportsbooks predicting the East’s total number of regular season wins within single digits six times.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share