close quarters

plural noun

: immediate contact or close range
fought at close quarters

Examples of close quarters in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Norman didn’t back down or run, repeatedly engaging in close quarters exchanges and forcing the referee to step in and separate the two fighters. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2024 Unfortunately, the close quarters of cruise ships can make the vessels good environments for spreading a variety of ailments. Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024 No doubt fans of Succession, The Sopranos, and The White Lotus will be flocking to the Circle in the Square to see Strong and Imperioli do their thing in such close quarters. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024 Leaving the close quarters, the Bruin understudies were directed to the stands to watch the varsity workout unfolding with precision from the first day, nonstop chatter from players on the court and a brisk tempo that reignited Walton. Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for close quarters 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'close quarters.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of close quarters was in 1809

Dictionary Entries Near close quarters

Cite this Entry

“Close quarters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close%20quarters. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!