1
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point
the team closed out the season with major losses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to exclude
to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of
don't assume an attitude that closes out any possibility of a compromise
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 out
Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
The Clippers took command with a 17-3 run closing out the third quarter.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
End-of-season closeout deals are up to 81% off, including comforters filled with goose feathers, gel fibers, silk, and more.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close out
Verb
After being held scoreless for four straight games, the Hawks finally broke through and punched in nine goals in their three-game win streak that closed out the regular season.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
The Clippers took command with a 17-3 run closing out the third quarter.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
On Paul George’s early closeout, Anunoby swings the ball to Miles McBride, target-practice for a knockdown shooter in yet another breakout season in New York.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
End-of-season closeout deals are up to 81% off, including comforters filled with goose feathers, gel fibers, silk, and more.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for close out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close out
Verb
-
Now a rather similar squad is tasked with ending the title drought.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Connor also ended things with Emma after telling her about his strong connection with Bri.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, came in line with expectations.—
Lisa Kailai Han,Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Asia, excluding Japan, accounts for about 26 percent of LVMH’s business, and includes high-growth countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Gaming regulators in several states have gone to court to try to shut Kalshi and its peers down, and many analysts assume these cases will eventually go to the Supreme Court.—
Peyton Forte,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Chuck Schumer again shut the government down last week.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This full-size option from Mercury Row offers an 8-inch under-bed clearance that’s a game changer for stowing out-of-season clothing and linens.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The bridge would also have a higher clearance to accommodate larger cargo ships, according to the proposal.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seven top-five Cy Young finishes, with one trophy?—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Stoddard was stunned as Kanai got up and finished behind Wang.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sign language was banned in many Deaf schools, and children were required to attempt to speak and read lips.—
Claire Rafford,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In the wake of that incident — and a similar one involving then-Iowa women’s star Caitlin Clark the same week — there was debate around the sport about whether court storms needed to be banned moving forward, lest players be injured during them.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This could mean that it never gets done, and the center remains closed indefinitely.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Khelif did not compete in an international boxing tournament in the Netherlands last summer after failing to register in time before the applications closed.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It’s widely understood that to shop secondhand is to enter into a treasure hunt, where messiness is permitted and persistence is rewarded with bargains and unique items.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Four years later, machines had been taught to play Atari games, and Google acquired DeepMind at the bargain price of some half a billion dollars.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Close out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20out. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
