: close to
beaches near the city
seemed to be near death
1
a
: not far distant in time, place, or degree
in the near future
b
: almost happening : narrowly missed or avoided
a near win in the primary
a near midair collision
c
: nearly not happening
a near escape
2
: closely related or intimately associated
her nearest and dearest friend
3
a
: being the closer of two
the near side
b
: being the left-hand one of a pair
the near wheel of a cart
5
6
a
: closely resembling the standard or typical
a near desert
b
: approximating the genuine
near silk
nearness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of near in a Sentence
Adverb
The plant was near dead when I got it.
as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire
Preposition
I left the box near the door.
The cat won't go near fire.
There are several beaches near here.
She came home near midnight.
We feared he was near death.
Adjective
The nearest grocery store is three blocks away.
The near side headlight is out.
Verb
As the date of the performance neared, we grew more and more anxious.
He always cheers up when baseball season nears.
The airplane began to descend as it neared the island.
He must be nearing 80 years of age.
The negotiators were nearing a decision.
Recent Examples on the Web
Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The light of a star in the great distance, for instance, would seem to curve around a large object in front of it, nearer to us—like our Sun.
—Rebecca Boyle, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Today’s top stories (Richard Vogel / Associated Press) 2028 Summer Olympics
As Paris Olympics near, Los Angeles officials worry about preparations for 2028.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The Bobcats even managed to tie Southlake Carroll, staining a near perfect regular season record.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
The order will be sent from the warehouse nearest to the customer, and all orders go out within 48 hours of purchase.
—Mark Jackson, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
After highs near 50 to near 60 today through Friday, weekend temperatures should climb into the 60s to near 70, still with a few showers possible.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Related Articles Schiff also became nationally known for leading two impeachment efforts against former President Donald Trump, who also won in his own California primary, coming near to clinching the GOP nomination for a rematch with President Biden.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2024
While planning for annual events such as Trooping is Colour continues at the palace, decisions about the King's involvement will likely be made nearer the time.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024
USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
The Oregon State Patrol located Huizar's vehicle driving southbound on Interstate 5 near Eugene, Oregon, at approximately 3 p.m. local time before initiating the pursuit, the West Richland Police Department confirmed in a press release obtained by PEOPLE.
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Some 185 miles to the northeast, near Anchorage, the land had dropped by about ten feet.
—Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024
The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. near the north entrance of the shopping mall after a dispute between two groups of people, police said in an affidavit.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
In Georgia, developers are building workforce housing near Atlanta City Hall, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
Based on a map of the secret locations of every ShotSpotter sensor in the country published by WIRED, there are still about 30 active sensors in San Diego, most of which are clustered near UC San Diego’s La Jolla campus and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
—Max Blaisdell, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2024
Nearly 52 years later, the casual restaurant on Nations Ford Road near Westinghouse continues to bring in crowds seeking hearty portions of comfort food in a cozy, nostalgic setting.
—Shannon Greene, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
Earth Day celebration at nature reserve The Torrey Pines Docent Society holds an Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 in front of the lodge area near the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve upper parking lot in La Jolla.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Civil War, which is Henderson’s fifth A24 collaboration, begins in the near future, as secessionists are on the verge of seizing the White House from its dictatorial, third-term president (Nick Offerman).
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Arlo Hotels, the brand responsible for boutique lodgings in New York, Chicago–and Washington, D.C. in the near future–is expanding its reach far beyond the hospitality space.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
Budget-conscious motorists may want to fill up sooner rather than later, as prices at the pump are likely headed higher in the near term.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
Driven by booming demand from chip designers, TSMC—which has a near monopoly on global semiconductor manufacturing—is riding the AI wave that has pushed the stock market to record highs.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The best course of action is to drive towards the nearest shelter.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024
Two-thirds of this formula, population and debt growth, are unlikely to move in the near future.
—Rob Thomas, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
Additionally, various state and local governments may begin to revamp their forms in the near future to meet these new government standards.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
But nearing the end of the first two years of his five-year single term allowed by the constitution, Yoon was likely to slip into a lame duck status, some analysts said.
—Reuters, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
But between the biography and a planned biopic, a fresh renaissance for her life and art seems to be nearing.
—Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2024
Garden Grove Pacifica coach Mike Caira nearing victory No. 300.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Kyle Guerra, 25, is a center fielder from San Leandro High and Cal State Monterey Bay, thought for a moment when asked if his baseball career was nearing the end of the line.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Nearly 150 were out of medicine, and others were nearing the end of their supply.
—Casey Parks, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to be sunny with high temperatures in the 50s, with Wednesday's temperature nearing 60 degrees.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024
Who makes the Lego dynasty? Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the grandson of Ole, had previously served as Lego’s CEO from 1979 to 2004, when he was forced to stand down as the toymaker went through the most turbulent financial period in its history, nearing bankruptcy.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
Adverb
To mark the special occasion, crowds of people traveled near and far to witness the cosmic event.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The light of a star in the great distance, for instance, would seem to curve around a large object in front of it, nearer to us—like our Sun.
—Rebecca Boyle, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Today’s top stories (Richard Vogel / Associated Press) 2028 Summer Olympics
As Paris Olympics near, Los Angeles officials worry about preparations for 2028.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The Bobcats even managed to tie Southlake Carroll, staining a near perfect regular season record.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
The order will be sent from the warehouse nearest to the customer, and all orders go out within 48 hours of purchase.
—Mark Jackson, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
After highs near 50 to near 60 today through Friday, weekend temperatures should climb into the 60s to near 70, still with a few showers possible.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Related Articles Schiff also became nationally known for leading two impeachment efforts against former President Donald Trump, who also won in his own California primary, coming near to clinching the GOP nomination for a rematch with President Biden.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2024
While planning for annual events such as Trooping is Colour continues at the palace, decisions about the King's involvement will likely be made nearer the time.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024
Preposition
To use your digital ID at TSA: Unlock your phone and hold it near the TSA reader.
—USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
The Oregon State Patrol located Huizar's vehicle driving southbound on Interstate 5 near Eugene, Oregon, at approximately 3 p.m. local time before initiating the pursuit, the West Richland Police Department confirmed in a press release obtained by PEOPLE.
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Some 185 miles to the northeast, near Anchorage, the land had dropped by about ten feet.
—Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024
The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. near the north entrance of the shopping mall after a dispute between two groups of people, police said in an affidavit.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
In Georgia, developers are building workforce housing near Atlanta City Hall, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
Based on a map of the secret locations of every ShotSpotter sensor in the country published by WIRED, there are still about 30 active sensors in San Diego, most of which are clustered near UC San Diego’s La Jolla campus and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
—Max Blaisdell, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2024
Nearly 52 years later, the casual restaurant on Nations Ford Road near Westinghouse continues to bring in crowds seeking hearty portions of comfort food in a cozy, nostalgic setting.
—Shannon Greene, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
Earth Day celebration at nature reserve The Torrey Pines Docent Society holds an Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 in front of the lodge area near the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve upper parking lot in La Jolla.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Though a fuller release schedule is expected for 2025, talk of budget cuts, greater industry consolidation and corporate mergers has forced exhibitors to prepare for the possibility of a near future with fewer studios making fewer movies.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Civil War, which is Henderson’s fifth A24 collaboration, begins in the near future, as secessionists are on the verge of seizing the White House from its dictatorial, third-term president (Nick Offerman).
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Arlo Hotels, the brand responsible for boutique lodgings in New York, Chicago–and Washington, D.C. in the near future–is expanding its reach far beyond the hospitality space.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
Budget-conscious motorists may want to fill up sooner rather than later, as prices at the pump are likely headed higher in the near term.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
Driven by booming demand from chip designers, TSMC—which has a near monopoly on global semiconductor manufacturing—is riding the AI wave that has pushed the stock market to record highs.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The best course of action is to drive towards the nearest shelter.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024
Two-thirds of this formula, population and debt growth, are unlikely to move in the near future.
—Rob Thomas, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
Additionally, various state and local governments may begin to revamp their forms in the near future to meet these new government standards.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Verb
Like much of the nation, San Diego County has been building apartments at a much quicker rate than any other type of housing, which means some areas of the region are nearing saturation.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
But nearing the end of the first two years of his five-year single term allowed by the constitution, Yoon was likely to slip into a lame duck status, some analysts said.
—Reuters, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
But between the biography and a planned biopic, a fresh renaissance for her life and art seems to be nearing.
—Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2024
Garden Grove Pacifica coach Mike Caira nearing victory No. 300.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Kyle Guerra, 25, is a center fielder from San Leandro High and Cal State Monterey Bay, thought for a moment when asked if his baseball career was nearing the end of the line.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Nearly 150 were out of medicine, and others were nearing the end of their supply.
—Casey Parks, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to be sunny with high temperatures in the 50s, with Wednesday's temperature nearing 60 degrees.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024
Who makes the Lego dynasty? Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the grandson of Ole, had previously served as Lego’s CEO from 1979 to 2004, when he was forced to stand down as the toymaker went through the most turbulent financial period in its history, nearing bankruptcy.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'near.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/near. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
near
1 of 4 adverb1
: at, within, or to a short distance or time
night was drawing near
2
: in a condition or state resembling or close to : almost
near dead
3
: nearly sense 1
near related
near
2 of 4 preposition(ˈ)ni(ə)r
: close to
standing near the door
near
3 of 4 adjectiveˈni(ə)r
1
: closely related or associated
her nearest and dearest friend
2
a
: not far away
the near future
b
: barely avoided
a near disaster
c
: almost not happening
a near victory
3
: being the closer of two
the near side of a hill
4
: direct entry 2 sense 1, short
the nearest route
5
: closely resembling a model or a genuine example
near silk
nearness
noun
near
4 of 4 verbˈni(ə)r
: to come near : approach
the ship was nearing the dock
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