hairbreadth 1 of 2

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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hairbreadth

2 of 2

noun

variants or hairsbreadth

Examples 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 hairbreadth
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
  • In 2020, her poll showed Trump with a large lead in Iowa while others expected a narrow race or even a Biden win.
    Linh Ta, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
  • In Legislative District 16 in central Arizona, Democrats were emboldened by the narrow 3.5% edge Republicans had after legislative redistricting.
    Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Two to 6 inches of snow is forecast at Sierra Nevada passes, the National Weather Service said.
    Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
  • An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall are expected into Thursday morning across parts of western Cuba, amounting to 12 inches of total accumulations from the storm.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Ballot recounts are scheduled Tuesday for two close Ramsey County races.
    Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
  • China demonstrated its pull on the world stage by welcoming a delegation from Saudi Arabia with its first pavilion at the event, as well as its close ties with Russia even as that country is isolated from Western nations and their allies due to its invasion of Ukraine.
    Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • On Saturday morning, it was reported that Yankees ace Gerrit Cole would be opting out of the remainder of his $324 million contract with the Yankees.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • In addition to those five regulars, ace starting pitcher Spencer Strider needed season-ending elbow surgery after two starts.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Asked about the fact that national guidelines require true, physical autopsies and other investigative steps when an infant dies suddenly, Taylor said Idaho law doesn’t require those guidelines to be followed.
    Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
  • As the couple reached the opening, a man in a black T-shirt appeared on the Caltrans side and took several steps toward the fence.
    Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Black eyes, dark hair, Han is blocking the exit, standing with his hands on his hips, like a big fat X.
    Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Higher doses for women can cause side effects including acne, excessive body hair and even body odor.
    Akshay Syal, M.D., NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The algorithm failed to de-age the neck on some subjects.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
  • During a windy blizzard in Colorado’s high country, one tester appreciated the high collar, which buttons over itself to offer scarf-like warmth at the neck.
    Abigail Barronian, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near hairbreadth

Cite this Entry

“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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