near miss

noun

Definition of near missnext
as in narrow escape
a barely successful escape from something undesirable a near miss with death prompted him to give up skydiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 near miss The teams traded chances, goals were called offside and there were near misses before Portugal finally broke through and tied the match up. — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026 After several heartbreaking near misses, rescue finally came on the fourth night when crewmember Leslie McNish spotted a distant vessel. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 Sučić helped Croatia take a 1-0 lead into halftime in a game where a couple of near misses prevented it from building a more comfortable lead. — CBS News, 27 June 2026 Japan finally breaks through After nearly 60 minutes of near misses, Japan finally scored the match’s first goal in the 57th minute. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for near miss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for near miss
  1. close call
  2. close shave
Noun
  • Two Delta Air Lines planes carrying hundreds of passengers between them had a close call at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this week and had to perform evasive maneuvers.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
  • Indeed, economists at Bank of America wrote that the spike in oil prices has made the FOMC meeting a close call.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of close call
Noun
  • The shaver’s gold-foil covers are hypoallergenic and allow for a close shave without harmful lacerations.
    — Bria McNeal, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2026
  • Villa rely on its revenue to push their limits, so going another year on the outside will mean player sales, budget cuts and very, very close shaves with financial sanctions.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of close shave

Browse Nearby Words

nearly
near miss
near misses
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Cite this Entry

“Near miss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/near%20miss. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on near miss

Nglish: Translation of near miss for Spanish Speakers

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