1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
a
: almost but not quite
nearly identical
nearly a year later
b
: to the least extent
not nearly as good as we expected
Examples of nearly in a Sentence
I see her nearly every day.
We lived there for nearly two years.
Nearly all of us got sick that weekend.
Recent Examples on the Web
Below, shop more steals, like this pair of Tory Burch mules and this travel-ready tote from Michael Kors, both of which are nearly $100 off right now.
—
Claire Harmeyer, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Shares are up nearly 40% in 2025.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
In reality, the ingredients serve different purposes and aluminum salts have been used in vaccines for nearly a century.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
This is India, and that’s nearly a billion people whose details need to be verified before they’re allowed to participate in the world’s largest democracy.
—Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
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Claire Harmeyer, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Shares are up nearly 40% in 2025.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
In reality, the ingredients serve different purposes and aluminum salts have been used in vaccines for nearly a century.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
This is India, and that’s nearly a billion people whose details need to be verified before they’re allowed to participate in the world’s largest democracy.
—Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Cite this Entry
“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nearly. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nearly
adverb
near·ly
ˈni(ə)r-lē 
1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
: almost but not quite
nearly the same
nearly missed the train
3
: to the least extent
not nearly enough
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