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
-
On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
In February, Trump had a narrow net approval rating of plus 0.6 points.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Almanac Average temperature: High 88, Low 66 Rainfall: 3.74 inches 1.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch keeping it away from the trunk.—
Dawn Pettinelli,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And Amanda Marsalis and April Blair are some of my closest friends now.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
-
That’s in part thanks to a close collaboration between Stein and Weinstein.—
Leah Abrams,
Them.,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But being the ace of a 121-loss team that was openly trying to trade him wasn’t exactly a fulfilling role.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The Yankees began the season with three pitchers on the injured list, including ace Gerrit Cole, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery last month, and Luis Gil, who is expected to be out until at least June with a lat strain.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Therefore, getting to the Holocaust required additional steps, including the apathy of the masses, the complicity of the elite, and the failure of the international community.—
Robert Williams,
Time,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The hearing will mark the first time a federal judge has considered the issue since Trump issued an executive order last month directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to shrink the department.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Lead by the restorative properties of prickly pear oil, this rich mask helps restore the hair shaft, improve split ends, and achieve overall healthier hair.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2025
-
As the real Del Rey stepped out in a crimson gown with her hair in perfect curls, phones shot into the air for the performance’s climax.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Designed for use below the neck, these tools help alleviate tension and strain on areas of your body that are more prone to stress than your face.—
Allure,
Allure,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Ambulances were called to take two people — a man and a woman who had each been stabbed in the neck — to hospitals, the spokesman said.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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