1
as in thin
being of less than usual width
found a narrow opening in the fence that he was able to squeeze through
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in small
not broad or open in views or opinions
a narrow person who thought that anyone who even owned a television had been morally corrupted by society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in limited
having distinct or certain limits
a play about human suffering, but in a narrower sense, also about the modern struggles of the working-class poor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a narrow gubernatorial contest, the outcome of which may depend upon a handful of votes
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in parochial
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints
tried to convince the narrow members of her family that there are many paths to a successful career that don't involve getting a university degree
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 narrow
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Clear vases with a narrow opening hold the top-heavy blossoms upright, or use pebbles in the vase to help anchor the stems.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The fixation on a single dream school narrows opportunity, heightens stress, and sometimes backfires.
—Jeffrey Selingo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Kate Perez, USA Today, 2 Feb. 2026
The data show a substantial decline in global inequality over the past three decades as rising prosperity allowed poor countries to narrow gaps with rich ones.
—Chelsea Follett, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narrow
Adjective
Experts recommend snacks that combine protein, fiber and healthy fats, helping glucose stay within a narrow, steady range for hours.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Clear vases with a narrow opening hold the top-heavy blossoms upright, or use pebbles in the vase to help anchor the stems.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Dutch parliamentary election tests ruling far-right party Dutch voters cast ballots today in a parliamentary election in which a far-right party that led opinion polls for months has seen its advantage narrow into a three-horse race.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The fixation on a single dream school narrows opportunity, heightens stress, and sometimes backfires.
—Jeffrey Selingo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Republicans hold a 218-213 majority in the House, an already close margin that will narrow to 218-214 once Menefee takes office.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 2 Feb. 2026
The data show a substantial decline in global inequality over the past three decades as rising prosperity allowed poor countries to narrow gaps with rich ones.
—Chelsea Follett, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrow
Adjective
-
Without reliably cold temperatures, snow is wetter and thinner, conditions are rainier — and for athletes that can be dangerous.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
And the attorneys who are assigned are often spread thin and unable to provide quality representation, let alone peer support.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Caudle told The Associated Press in a recent interview that his vision is to deploy smaller, newer ships when possible instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The small edit stood out for its playful party spirit and the brand was instantly associated to a sense of fun and maximalism unusual in the Scandinavian fashion scene.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Daryanani also noted that Apple’s recently reported revenue and EPS (earnings per share) for the December quarter exceeded expectations, with the company delivering better-than-expected gross margin, driven by limited memory impact and robust Services growth.—
TipRanks,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Currently, the electronic skin only covers limited surface areas.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Over the years, Grey and Pollan have remained close, often supporting one another through personal and professional milestones.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The bus depot is two stories beneath the train platform and several blocks from the closest stairway.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This aligns with findings from empathy research, which distinguishes between parochial empathy (caring for one’s in-group) and universal empathy (concern for all people).—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Working-class voters visiting a Reform clubhouse were more likely to find young professionals discussing weighty matters of foreign policy rather than parochial issues like street paving.—
Daniel Wortel-London,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The rain moved into the region closer to San Francisco, including some areas in the East and South bays, in the afternoon, Murdock said.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
While social media debates whether their name is pronounced bet-tuh or bay-tuh, veterinarians tend to be more concerned with how they’re cared for than how they’re named.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
However, Zelenskyy, backed by European leaders and some members of Congress, has insisted that the sanctions regime against Russia must instead be tightened to starve the Russian war machine of revenue and Western technological components.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Austin Independent School District has tightened its rules for student protests, outlining new limits on staff involvement and clarifying law enforcement’s role when demonstrations move off campus.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These ingredients were ground and washed by hand, stored in ornate vessels and applied with slender sticks—often as part of an intimate, almost ceremonial process passed down through generations of women.—
Amelia Dhuga,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Korinek is youthful and slender, with delicate wire-frame glasses and a faintly red beard.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrow. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
