as in almost
very close to but not completely
it was well-nigh dark, but I could still see a little
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 well-nigh
Right now, though, a coherent A.I. policy seems well-nigh inconceivable.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
In my book, Peter Seidler was a model citizen, a well-nigh heroic one.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
In my book, Peter Seidler was a model citizen, a well-nigh heroic one.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well-nigh
Adverb
-
Essiedu is black, and while Stanton looks almost exactly like a young Emma Watson, but with a different skin tone, and that’s enough to cause unfortunate controversy.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
In Miami-Dade, almost a quarter of all households rely on SNAP to pay their grocery bills, the fifth-highest rate of any county in Florida, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
Adverb
-
Hub Tent Simplifying campsite setup, this has an intuitive hub design that practically pops up on its own.—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2025
-
And her combat prowess is almost non-existent, with practically no kills and half of them being by accident.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Adverb
-
Resolution Copper also said its project has the potential to supply nearly one-quarter of the nation’s copper needs to help with the transition to clean energy and other national priorities.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
-
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images January 6 Capitol Riot Defendants On his inauguration day, January 20, 2025, Trump granted full pardons to nearly everyone charged with offenses related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, totaling approximately 1,500 individuals.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adverb
-
Turns out Clark played virtually the entire season with a right foot injury that slowed him throughout and needed to be surgically repaired in January.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
One weekend in 1986, on a jaunt in a rented cabin with her soon-to-be-ex-lover, Alison Bechdel, a virtually unknown cartoonist in her twenties living in the Twin Cities, had an anxiety attack.—
Charlie Tyson,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Well-nigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well-nigh. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share