as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a hairbreadth victory, but a victory nevertheless
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
or hairsbreadth
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
just missed the bull's-eye by a hairbreadth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hairbreadth
Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Adjective
In the end, Cuellar and his corporate backers carried the day (one marked also by the Uvalde school massacre), albeit by a hairbreadth margin.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Noun
Should the electoral officials’ math hold up, the hairbreadth victory is likely to provide only limited comfort to Mr. del Mazo’s party.
—Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hairbreadth
Adjective
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Greene’s characterization of a ‘narrow audience’ echoes this.—
Matthew Carey Salyer,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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But its critics say EA continues to make narrow and curious choices that neglect both systemic issues and the complexly human reasons people give, as a battle for billions rages on.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Hochul’s office warned that some regions could see up to five inches of rainfall, creating a 70% chance of flash flooding that could impact basements and the subway.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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How to get there Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY) is the closest commercial airport to Moab, about a 20-minute drive to the center of town.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
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With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Miami Marlins were expected to trade away their ace, Sandy Alcántara, at the trade deadline.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The streets are saying Jeremy Allen White is aces as the Boss in the new Bruce Springsteen biopic.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Lawmakers were demanding to know why the lottery had not taken steps to prevent third-party vendors known as couriers from brokering the sale of game tickets through smartphone apps, even though state law expressly forbids buying and selling lottery tickets by phone.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Try taking small steps to challenge your own avoidance by giving yourself permission to poop in a public restroom, or talking to your friend about your GI struggles.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Thousands left in divestitures, including the sale or spin-offs of Iams pet food, Duracell batteries and a large portfolio of more than 40 beauty brands, including Clairol and Wella hair coloring and CoverGirl makeup.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
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May Help Treat Dandruff Some studies suggest that using shampoos or hair tonics with lemongrass may help significantly improve dandruff.3 2.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
One wall of his workshop is covered with wooden templates of guitar bodies, necks and pick guards.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
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Chewing tobacco is less dangerous, but still deadly: It has long been associated with head and neck cancers.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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