as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a hairbreadth victory, but a victory nevertheless
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
or hairsbreadth
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
just missed the bull's-eye by a hairbreadth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hairbreadth
Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Adjective
In the end, Cuellar and his corporate backers carried the day (one marked also by the Uvalde school massacre), albeit by a hairbreadth margin.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022
That mad quest for immortality is only one thread in an intricate narrative that encompasses witchcraft, impossible transformations, hairbreadth escapes, killer clowns and an assortment of innovative murders.
—Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2021
Nancy Pelosi will have a hairbreadth four-vote majority in the House with two seats still undecided.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Dec. 2020
The hairbreadth outcome in the race belied its sweeping consequences.
—Author: Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2018
Noun
Should the electoral officials’ math hold up, the hairbreadth victory is likely to provide only limited comfort to Mr. del Mazo’s party.
—Kirk Semple and Marina Franco, New York Times, 4 June 2017
The year closed with the hairbreadth victory of a law-and-order Presidential nominee whose Southern strategy of racial politicking remade the electoral map.
—Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hairbreadth
Adjective
-
Thirty narrow stairs lead to City Ballet’s bright, top floor rehearsal studio, with double ballet barres lining three walls, a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and an open ceiling with a treacherously low center beam that high jumping dancers have learned to avoid.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Others may include family offices that offer a narrower range of services.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches were expected.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Total precipitation from both storms is predicted to top several inches, approaching 8 inches in some lower areas and up to 16 inches in mountain areas, forecasters said.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The news comes as YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s prison release inches closer, following reports last month that the Baton Rouge rhymer would be let out far earlier than originally scheduled.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
28 Feb. 2025
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Starmer’s deal would send the island chain to Mauritius, a former British colony and current close ally of China.—
Naomi Lim,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
San Diego Padres' ace Dylan Cease is entering the final year of his contract with the Padres.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
-
At the 2024 Australian Open, 7.9 percent of Sabalenka’s serves were aces; at the 2025 tournament, 3.4 percent.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Every once in a while, a quick step would find a sliver and space, and the scene would shift direction, bringing a new possibility that something big might happen.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The smartest career reinventions happen when people reposition their strengths, rethink their value, and take small, strategic steps instead of making drastic changes.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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One of his first moves was a dress code straight out of a military handbook: no beards, no long hair, mustaches allowed but neatly trimmed.—
Marc Edelman,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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Lauren's house was wiped clean of all physical evidence, right down to stray hairs in her drain, which is really salt in the wound.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The ruling was that both players violated the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
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Tropicana ditched its distinctive carafe, with its circular shape, thinning neck, and crown-like bottle cap.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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