close 1 of 5

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as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors the election results were so close that the votes had to be recounted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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close

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verb

1
as in to shut
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening be sure to close the gate when you leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to close (down)
to stop the operations of the merchant will close the store if business doesn't improve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll close the assembly with the singing of our national anthem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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close

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adverb

close

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noun (1)

as in courtyard
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls) a garden in a close at the center of the complex

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

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noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective close contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of close are miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, and stingy. While all these words mean "being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others," close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.

folks who are very close when charity calls

When can miserly be used instead of close?

The synonyms miserly and close are sometimes interchangeable, but miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.

a miserly couple devoid of social conscience

Where would niggardly be a reasonable alternative to close?

Although the words niggardly and close have much in common, niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.

the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library

In what contexts can parsimonious take the place of close?

While in some cases nearly identical to close, parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.

a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries

When is it sensible to use penurious instead of close?

The meanings of penurious and close largely overlap; however, penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.

the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune

When could stingy be used to replace close?

In some situations, the words stingy and close are roughly equivalent. However, stingy implies a marked lack of generosity.

a stingy child, not given to sharing

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 close
Adjective
Famous detective Sherlock Holmes faces a case where the lives of his closest friends are at risk. Devonne Goode, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025 And Amanda Marsalis and April Blair are some of my closest friends now. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Shares of Peabody Energy—the largest U.S. coal producer, responsible for mining over 104,000 short tons in 2023—closed up 9.21% last Tuesday. Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Fortunately for the Warriors, not many teams have the same arsenal as the Clippers, who closed the season winning 18 of their last 21. Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Arlington is close behind and commands a second-place spot with a 9-3 record. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025 Sarasota County saw a 7% decline over the past year, with Manatee close behind at 5%, according to the latest data from Zillow Home Value Index. Derek Gilliam, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Fey, Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield co-created The Four Seasons, which was a hot property as 2023’s labor strikes came to a close. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025 The stock, however, was still more than 20% below its December record-high close of $259. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
Adjective
  • In that crowded class of prospects, each star had his own identity.
    D. Watkins, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • As tensions threaten to turn to violence in the crowded train car, the officer arrives.
    EW.com, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, conservationists are pivoting by building a new captive population in facilities across Hawaii and the mainland U.S. with the hope that avian malaria can be contained in the near future.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • According to American Rivers, the endangered rivers list highlights rivers that face unique threats in the near future.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • In February, Trump had a narrow net approval rating of plus 0.6 points.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Maddox found relief through photography and writing, including Motherhood: The Thread That Holds Us Together, a portrait study capturing the raw, vulnerable, and intimate moments of the motherhood journey that aren’t often seen, to combat isolation.
    Essence, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The shows are produced by both Audible and Together, a new company that Jackman and producer Sonia Friedman launched to create intimate and accessible live theater.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So far, the ESA has been silent on Trump excluding video game consoles from his tariff exemptions.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Taliban are also silent on the other restrictions and whether there is any chance of removing them.
    Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Be careful not to let in too much moisture to avoid any mildew or mold developing on your mattress.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • And Martin says the uncertainty about insurance rates is yet another good reason to be careful on the road.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Moore sprinted down the field in celebration of his game-saving play with 29 seconds left that gave UCLA an unexpectedly breathless 27-20 victory.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Jerry Coyne has a post up which critiques an extremely breathless review of a new book, Epigenetics Revolution.
    Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2011
Adjective
  • But the ability to navigate this uncertainty depends on high-quality, accurate data—particularly supplier master data—which is easier said than done.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Garland handed the character work of directing to Mendoza to honor the project’s one abiding rule: sticking without exception to an utterly accurate recounting.
    Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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