CLOSE Synonyms: 568 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

close 1 of 5

adjective

ˈklōs

Definition of close next

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in intimate

closely acquainted a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in careful

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in breathless

lacking fresh air a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accurate

meeting the highest standard of accuracy a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2 of 5

verb

ˈklōz

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

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

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

as in to stop

to come to an end the services closed with a short prayer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to come

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3 of 5

adverb

ˈklōs

as in in

at, within, or to a short distance or time the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance

Synonyms & Similar Words

4 of 5

noun (1)

ˈklōs

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

5 of 5

noun (2)

ˈklōz

as in ending

the stopping of a process or activity at the close of the evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in conclusion

the last part of a process or action managed to conduct the negotiations to a satisfactory close

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

For those who go to Costco to get gas, the store’s pumps typically close alongside the warehouse. —

Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2025 With its close proximity to the Russian mainland (400 miles), its abundance of natural resources, and its strategic location at the gateway to the North Atlantic, the set of Islands were critical to Moscow’s economic and defense interests. —

James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made By History , TIME, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

Ridge Route Road is closed at Lake Hughes and at Templin Highway. —

Tom Tapp, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025 Its Palisades store, which survived the Palisades fire, is temporarily closed. —

Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025

Adverb

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, inducted in 2019, remains the only member of the Hall of Fame to get 100%. —

Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2025 In that spirit, Cinema Without Borders presents the Bridging the Borders Award sponsored by 360 MEDIA to a film that is most successful in bridging and connecting the people of our world closer together. —

Katcy Stephan, Variety, 12 Jan. 2025

Noun

Outlander finales are always memorable, but especially so this time as season 7B comes to a close. —

Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2025 Even after soaring to a $117 billion market value at Thursday’s close, Wall Street remains bullish on the company led by Adam Foroughi, with more than three-quarters of analysts holding a buy or overweight rating on the stock, according to FactSet. —

Samantha Subin, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for close

Recent Examples of Synonyms for close

Adjective

This move aims to provide a more suitable environment for appreciating Da Vinci's masterpiece, allowing more focused and comfortable viewings away from the crowded gallery that houses other Venetian masterworks.

— Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Many Gazans have been living in difficult crowded conditions in tents with little access to basic necessities, crammed into a small area in the south of the strip.

— Ruwaida Amer, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025