View synonyms for

nearly

[ neer-lee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

all but; almost:
nearly dead with cold.
with close approximation:
a nearly perfect likeness.
with close agreement or resemblance:
a plan nearly like our own.
with close kinship, interest, or connection; intimately:
nearly associated in business;
two women nearly related.

nearly

/ ˈ��ɪə��ɪ /

adverb

not quite; almost; practically
not nearly
nowhere near; not at all
not nearly enough money
closely
the person most nearly concerned

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Word History and Origins

Origin of nearly¹

First recorded in 1530–40; near + -ly

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Synonym Study

See almost.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

According to the UN, nearly 13 million people have been forced from their homes since the fighting began in 2023, while an estimated 150,000 people have been killed.

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Now Lucy has been in care in Manchester for nearly two years.

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By their calculations, in that time frame, more than 170,000 people will be hospitalized, and nearly 900 will experience debilitating and potentially deadly neurological complications.

From

For every red-tailed hawk, there are nearly two lizards.

From

They said the sex abuse settlement can be paid with bonds and the county’s plush rainy day fund, a seldom-touched pot worth nearly a billion dollars.

From

Related Words

Near Islands nearlywed

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