NEARLY Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

nearly

adverb

ˈnir-lē

Definition of nearly next

as in closely

to a close degree copy that design as nearly as you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

closely
near

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in almost

very close to but not completely I nearly fell down the stairs

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 nearly April was the first month in nearly two years that Russia had a net loss in territory. —

Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 Shayndi Rice was named to that role following the exit of Claire Day, a 23-year veteran of CBS News, who had served as London bureau chief for nearly a year before her departure was announced in April. —

Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 June 2026 McGuire replaces Harsh Saini, who temporarily helmed the multistakeholder initiative for nearly a year following Colin Browne’s departure last July. —

Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 12 June 2026 Reynoso was born nearly four months premature at Saint Agnes Hospital in Maryland, reports Baltimore outlet WMAR 2 News. —

Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nearly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearly

Adverb

Finland’s parliament on Wednesday voted to lift a decades-old ban on nuclear weapons, approving a major defense policy shift aimed at aligning the country more closely with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) deterrence strategy.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
The retailer employs a team of roughly 40 to 50 personal shoppers in Paris, who work closely with top-spending clients and serve as ambassadors for the store’s designer offering.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 17 June 2026