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
-
These distinctive heels, characterized by a narrow base at the foot that widens toward the bottom, offer a bold and retro-inspired silhouette.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Nissan’s profits in the six months ending in September plunged 94% compared with the same period in 2023, as the company lost money on auto operations and reported only a narrow profit due to its financing business.—
Olesya Dmitracova and Chris Isidore,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Winter storm warnings have been issued for 12 states, with up to 48 inches of snow expected on Saturday.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Each candle is 11 inches and comes in a set of two.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Last week, Trump celebrated the confirmation of an Interior secretary, former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who has such a close relationship with fossil fuel companies that oil and gas billionaire Harold Hamm once gifted him a set of cuff links to thank him for his friendship.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2025
-
That seems like the closest analogue to what DOGE was supposed to be.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The heavy lifting apparently was performed during the deal of ace Garrett Crochet to Boston for four prospects, which could pay off in the long run, unlike the deal of Chris Sale to Boston that started the last Sox rebuild in ’16.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
-
The Atlanta Braves struggled with pitching depth during the 2024 season largely due to the season-ending injury suffered by ace Spencer Strider.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
On Thursday, lawmakers will debate a proposal to request Germany's Federal Court of Justice to assess whether the AfD is an anti-constitutional party, Politico reported, which would mark the first step toward a potential legal ban.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
There's one more crucial step on Wi-Fi 7's quest to increase data rates: The new protocol will provide more channel bandwidth than ever before.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Our answer: Wet hair will dampen your pillows, pillowcases, and sheets for hours at a time, creating a perfect environment for bacteria and mold to grow.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Elsewhere, beauty this week was equal parts femme and freaky: nail art was sculptural, flipped and reversed, hair was piled high to make a poncy French monarch proud, and conceptual makeup took inspo from nature’s most ornate creatures.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Studies have shown such desks can reduce discomfort in your lower back, neck, shoulder and more.—
Margaret Cirino,
NPR,
2 Feb. 2025
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The neck needed to be flexible to mimic the bunting behavior, so the authors incorporated a mechanism that could adjust the stiffness of the neck via wire tension.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hairbreadth
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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