1
2
as in almost
very close to but not completely
I nearly fell down the stairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nearly
Across nearly a century, Brooks has repeatedly tested the limits of taste, commerce, politics and patience.
—
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The controversial first trip of a UK PM to China for nearly a decade has been generating headlines all week.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
The nearly 78-foot-long sundeck, meanwhile, is a rather generous size that’s a signature of the T52 series that focused on open-air living, one that serves up another spot for dining, relaxation, and more.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
So existential was the plight of the Reader, which has continued to lose money since converting to a nonprofit nearly four years ago, that its board handed over the keys to Noisy Creek in August in a complex ownership transfer that has yet to be consummated.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The controversial first trip of a UK PM to China for nearly a decade has been generating headlines all week.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
The nearly 78-foot-long sundeck, meanwhile, is a rather generous size that’s a signature of the T52 series that focused on open-air living, one that serves up another spot for dining, relaxation, and more.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
So existential was the plight of the Reader, which has continued to lose money since converting to a nonprofit nearly four years ago, that its board handed over the keys to Noisy Creek in August in a complex ownership transfer that has yet to be consummated.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nearly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearly
Adverb
-
With a simple yet stylish presentation, the 2026 Indian Chief Vintage features an 116-cubic-inch motor that closely resembles the 74-cubic-inch motor from the 1940s in both form and function.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Josh McDaniels, who worked closely with Belichick during those Super Bowl years, is alongside Vrabel as well.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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ServiceNow lost almost 10% and Datadog was down nearly 9% amid fears that AI could take away more of their business .—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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The silk mousseline garments floated almost like ghosts or memories of Chanel designs past, including the famous skirt suit with its matching cardigan and Karl Lagerfeld modernisms like jeans with a tweed jacket, plus the iconic flap bag.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
For more than 30 years, the company has quietly perfected the art of the island stay, curating everything from chic townhomes steps from Gustavia to headline-worthy estates complete with infinity pools, private chefs, and views that practically beg to be framed.—
Molly Barstein,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
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By the mid-2000s, doing one or more quads was practically a necessity, because they were scored almost twice as high as triples.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nearly. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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