1
as in intimacy
the state of being in a very personal or private relationship
my cousin and I have lost that nearness we had when we were kids
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proximity
the state or condition of being near
our nearness to the theme park has made us beloved by relatives from all over the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nearness
That tension—between nearness and distance, inside and outside—defines the film’s structure and tone.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
The nearness of bees, and of other things that agitate most people, calms me.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Overstating the nearness of human-level intelligence or ignoring ethical, safety, and energy concerns erodes trust and triggers backlash.
—Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
The nearness of bees, and of other things that agitate most people, calms me.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Overstating the nearness of human-level intelligence or ignoring ethical, safety, and energy concerns erodes trust and triggers backlash.
—Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearness
Noun
-
The rooms There are just 19 rooms here—a deliberate decision to create a feeling of intimacy, and to make guests feel that Madrid, even if only for a few days, can truly be home.—
María Casbas,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Jan. 2026
-
His near-mimicry becomes a kind of intimacy.—
Katie Kadue,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Energy flows are no longer determined solely by price and proximity but by alliance structures and security guarantees.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The hotel’s proximity to PortMiami regularly attracts travelers ready to get on a cruise.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In a dispatch from Minneapolis, chaun webster considers the strange familiarity of ICE and the limits of our language.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
There’s been turnover at the top of the NFL hierarchy this season, but there will be a dose of familiarity in Super Bowl LX.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The deputy searched Jamall and his belongings, finding insulin in his luggage and two ecstasy pills in his pocket.—
Christopher Damien,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
-
This water and wind-resistant jacket also features two secure zippered pockets to keep your hands warm and belongings safe.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Wednesday's Child on CBS Colorado For more information about services for kinship care families or to learn more about the Heart Gallery, call Raise the Future at (303) 755-4756 or 1(800) 451-5246 or go to the Raise the Future website.—
Libby Smith,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Gradually, the two men gain each other’s trust, and a largely unspoken kinship emerges between them.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nearness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nearness. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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