close 1 of 5

adjective

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
Definition of closenext
1
as in crowded
having little space between items or parts the soldiers marched in close formation against the enemy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in near
not being distant in time, space, or significance my birthday is close to Christmas a shopping mall that is very close to the highway these words are close synonyms

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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

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4
as in intimate
closely acquainted a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge she was as close as a stone when it came to talking about her love life

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6
as in cheap
giving or sharing as little as possible the kind of folks who are very close when charity calls

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7
as in breathless
lacking fresh air a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere

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8
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies

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close

2 of 5

verb

ˈklōz How to pronounce close (audio)
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

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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

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4
as in to stop
to come to an end the services closed with a short prayer

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5
as in to come
to come near or nearer the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field

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close

3 of 5

adverb

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance

Synonyms & Similar Words

close

4 of 5

noun (1)

ˈklōs How to pronounce close (audio)
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

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close

5 of 5

noun (2)

ˈklōz How to pronounce close (audio)
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity at the close of the evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action managed to conduct the negotiations to a satisfactory close

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The most prominent melodies tend to juggle only two or three notes at a time, often over uncomfortably close intervals. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026 There are more videos of the shooting, from an even closer vantage point, but they have not been made public. — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
But some reliability struggles and the car development race have allowed Ferrari to slightly close the performance gap, leaving 72 points separating the two teams at the top of the championship right now. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 In total, this adds up to about $190 million dollars if the merger doesn’t close until June. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
Adverb
As the primary draws closer without any gubernatorial candidates tossed from the ballot, a far-reaching property tax cut proposal set to go before voters later this year had a day in court this week. — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 The company said Gemini Robotics ER 2 also improves human proximity detection, allowing robots to stop safely when people move too close. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
Noun
The era of point solutions powered by AI is coming to a close. — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Senators could decide by the close of business on Friday whether to schedule a vote as early as next Tuesday, or else risk delaying Blanche’s nomination till after the August recess. — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for close
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close
  1. crowded
  2. near
  3. narrow
  4. intimate
  5. silent
  6. tight
  7. breathless
  8. accurate
Adjective
  • Attending immigration court in Harlingen, Texas, on days where there are mega master hearings can mean waiting outside in the hot, crowded entrance for over an hour until the lobby can accommodate the next wave of people.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • This sleek vessel provides a private yacht feel with hotel comforts, far from crowded mega-ships.
    — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of crowded
Adjective
  • The proposal would have transformed the state’s current delegation, split between six Democrats and five Republicans, into a 10-1 Democratic near-lock.
    — Sophia Mandt, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026
  • To Jones’ point, Uwazurike single-handedly blew up one run-sweep to Harvey in a 9-on-7 period, arriving in the backfield the near second Harvey even touched the ball.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of near
Adjective
  • The narrow waterway passing between Iran and Oman serves as the main route for shipping crude from oil-rich countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait to the rest of the world.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The fighting has severely disrupted shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime choke point that typically handles around a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Backyard weddings are among the most sentimental and intimate of celebrations.
    — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In the film, his signature use of colors— blazing red, forest green, deep blue, golden yellow, lavender pink — and intimate chamber-drama staging transform domestic interiors into spaces of moral clarity.
    — Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimate
Adjective
  • Physicians, despite their leverage, often remain silent due to cultural pressures.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • David May was the joker in the team; Paul Scholes was the silent assassin, sat there at the back, throwing comments.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • With patience and selectivity, a tight budget can still open up the universe.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Small prey, with smaller bodies, can make abrupt, tight turns.
    — Rachel Sargent Mirus, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Another excellent solo goal by Jude Bellingham ultimately secured third place for Thomas Tuchel’s side in a breathless match that offered entertainment beyond comparison.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • One of the best things about this episode’s edit is the sharp contrast between the players’ breathless race up and down the line of rooms and shots of the more relaxed atmosphere in any room that isn’t actively in use.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of breathless
Adjective
  • Sharad said regulators are also using AI to identify inaccurate filings and repeat offenders more quickly, making accurate customs data increasingly important as tariff policies continue evolving.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • For Orlando families, workers and businesses, the practical response begins with accurate records, a clear plan and a realistic understanding of how immigration agencies and court proceedings can intersect.
    — Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of accurate

Phrases Containing close

Browse Nearby Words

clops
close
close call
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Cite this Entry

“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on close

Nglish: Translation of close for Spanish Speakers

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