as in narrow escape
a barely successful escape from something undesirable
the doctor said I'd had a close call, and was lucky to be alive
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Recent Examples of close call
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a close call involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a United Airlines jet approaching a Southern California airport earlier this week, authorities said Thursday, March 26.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
The close call is the latest in a string of incidents involving helicopters and commercial passenger jets.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The close call occurred two days after a regional Air Canada jet collided into a Port Authority fire truck shortly after landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, killing two pilots and injuring dozens of people.
—Clara McMichael, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
The two talked about some of Billy's close calls with death, his journey with music, his family and his identity.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for close call
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
The close call is the latest in a string of incidents involving helicopters and commercial passenger jets.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The close call occurred two days after a regional Air Canada jet collided into a Port Authority fire truck shortly after landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, killing two pilots and injuring dozens of people.
—Clara McMichael, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
The two talked about some of Billy's close calls with death, his journey with music, his family and his identity.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for close call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close call
close shave
Noun
-
Villa rely on its revenue to push their limits, so going another year on the outside will mean player sales, budget cuts and very, very close shaves with financial sanctions.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Speaking of a close shave, Cincinnati couldn't decide a winner between No 5.—
Rasputin Todd,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Close call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20call. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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