close 1 of 5

adjective

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
Definition of closenext
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

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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

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4
as in intimate
closely acquainted a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends

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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

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7
as in breathless
lacking fresh air a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere

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8
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies

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close

2 of 5

verb

ˈklōz How to pronounce close (audio)
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

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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

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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

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4
as in to stop
to come to an end the services closed with a short prayer

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5
as in to come
to come near or nearer the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field

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close

3 of 5

adverb

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

4 of 5

noun (1)

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
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

5 of 5

noun (2)

ˈklōz How to pronounce close (audio)
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity at the close of the evening

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action managed to conduct the negotiations to a satisfactory close

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
How close is the NBA’s MVP race? —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026 Ford Motor is set to report its fourth-quarter and year-end earnings after the markets close Tuesday. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
The governor has called for legalizing marijuana and taxing skill games, which would close some of that gap. —Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 But a flood in the Emanuel Synagogue space last fall forced the museum to again close its doors. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
And the team signed closer Pete Fairbanks to beef up the back end of a bullpen that was relied upon a lot last season (Miami’s 631 1/3 innings pitched by relievers were the fifth-most in MLB). —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026 The players will join their respective teams for a portion of camp and return to Glendale as the Sox inch closer and closer to the start of the regular season. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
The analyst's price target of $142 calls for about 12% upside from Thursday's close. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026 And to get an up-close look at how harm reduction works, watch the accompanying video. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
  1. crowded
  2. near
  3. narrow
  4. intimate
  5. silent
  6. cheap
  7. breathless
  8. accurate
Adjective
  • Vying for a parking spot on a crowded city street after a snowstorm has long felt like going to battle, and now there's a harrowing twist.
    — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • But a crowded Democratic field increases the chances that two Republicans and no Democrats make it past the June primary.
    — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of crowded
Adjective
  • In Europa's near-vacuum, heat from friction would dissipate quickly rather than building a lubricating surface layer.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Xing expects that to rise to 5% in the near future, especially amid depressed real estate prices and deposit rates hovering near historic lows.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of near
Adjective
  • Such a narrow margin means only a handful of disgruntled GOP members are needed to deal a defeat to their party leadership.
    — Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • On that day, the moon will completely cover the sun for several minutes along a narrow path of totality that sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Austin is offering everything from la Madeleine’s chocolate-strawberry bakery boards to Azul’s candlelit rooftop cabanas, including intimate prix-fixe dinners and playful donut boat adventures.
    — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Creating a more romantic atmosphere at home can transform your space into a cozy, intimate retreat.
    — Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of intimate
Adjective
  • While current work on the development is silent, crews are only waiting for county permits to build, the developer said.
    — Larry Seward, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
  • History has shown us time and again that meaningful change often begins when young people refuse to stay silent.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • These are cheap to produce and easy to swallow due to their smooth texture.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • With a distinctive look and a €38,290 ($45,425) passenger van base price (German market) that undercuts even the cheapest VW ID.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of cheap
Adjective
  • Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
  • This slow, visible retreat of ice colors every breathless hike, every chilly swim, every preposterously pretty train ride.
    — Alice Gregory, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of breathless
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Federal data is fluid and frequently subject to change as more detailed and accurate information becomes available.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of accurate

Phrases Containing close

Browse Nearby Words

clops
close
close call
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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on close

Nglish: Translation of close for Spanish Speakers

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