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
That collision and subsequent close calls with Army helicopters over the nation’s capital put the spotlight on the interaction between military and civilian flights.
—
Jack Dura, Twin Cities, 22 July 2025
In February 2022, a JetBlue flight landing at Boston Logan International Airport had a close call with a Learjet that took off without clearance.
—Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025
Sure, there have been a handful of close calls where fires have prompted us to pack up or evacuate.
—Faith Barton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025
Watch as sharks tear into his prosthetic limbs, squirm amid some gripping close calls, and allow the very macho commentary to wash over you and grimace (or giggle) at a shocking amount of fake blood.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for close call
Jack Dura, Twin Cities, 22 July 2025
In February 2022, a JetBlue flight landing at Boston Logan International Airport had a close call with a Learjet that took off without clearance.
—Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025
Sure, there have been a handful of close calls where fires have prompted us to pack up or evacuate.
—Faith Barton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025
Watch as sharks tear into his prosthetic limbs, squirm amid some gripping close calls, and allow the very macho commentary to wash over you and grimace (or giggle) at a shocking amount of fake blood.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for close call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close call
close shave
Noun
-
Meant to be used anywhere and everywhere, this delivers a smooth and close shave by reducing friction with allantoin and infusing skin with shea butter, glycerin and squalane for softness and moisture.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
The floating, vibrating head gave me a really close shave, especially with my shaving cream.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Close call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20call. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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