more or less

adverb

Definition of more or lessnext
1
as in almost
very close to but not completely the lot is 16 acres more or less

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretty
to some degree or extent most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in approximately
close to but not exactly the box weighs 60 pounds more or less

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 more or less Bettmann Archive Most people’s hairlines run more or less straight across the forehead. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The ride is in technical rehearsals, a soft opening, more or less. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 No More have been reliably unpredictable since Patton joined as the permanent singer in 1988, launching an erratic and sometimes scandalous classic era that lasted more or less until their first split in 1998. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026 To my mind, champagne is more or less an everyday beverage, the perfect aperitif. — Jay McInerney, Air Mail, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for more or less
Recent Examples of Synonyms for more or less
  1. almost
  2. pretty
  3. approximately
  4. practically
  5. quite
  6. about
  7. nearly
  8. relatively
Adverb
  • Trump on Tuesday said that while almost all the incoming fire in Jordan was stopped, some made it through.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • Skubal pitched in a major-league game only 38 days after surgery, a feat that almost feels forgotten given all that has happened around him.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of almost
Adverb
  • Kyril is a hands-on, pretty inspirational owner who has a really clear vision for where this football club is going.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • As far as summer jobs go, helping to maintain the Oakland Cemetery is a pretty cool one, even in this heat.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • The 6-foot-3, 221-pound wideout is down approximately 7 to 10 pounds from his playing weight a year ago.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The epicenter was approximately 4 miles east-southeast of Cloverdale, at a depth of 4 miles.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • Fetterman and McCormick even launched a joint fundraising committee, practically unheard-of for senators from different parties.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 31 July 2026
  • The jokes practically wrote themselves as an eclectic group of progressive pastors, imams and a rabbi walked into a room, finding their seats around a table to talk about religion and politics.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of practically
Adverb
  • Maybe that’s why replacing all my skinny jeans with wide-leg styles never quite solved my own denim dilemma.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 31 July 2026
  • His film is likable as heck but never quite achieves liftoff.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over cake, about 1-inch apart.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Fairview Fire was estimated at about 979 acres and remains a fast-moving threat, according to firefighters.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • Jaime Diez, a veteran immigration attorney based in Brownsville, Texas, recently had almost 20 cases called in one day, nearly 10 times his previously normal pace.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The optics became nearly as problematic as the financial structure itself.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of nearly
Adverb
  • Muluk Spa is relatively compact with serene treatment rooms illuminated by flickering candle-like lights.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Though less volatile, median measures are relatively slow to respond to inflation shocks.
    — David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of relatively

Browse Nearby Words

more
more or less
moreover
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“More or less.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/more%20or%20less. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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