CLOSE CALLS Synonyms: 7 Similar and Opposite Words

close calls

noun

plural of close call

as in narrow escapes

a barely successful escape from something undesirable the doctor said I'd had a close call, and was lucky to be alive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misfires

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 calls But close calls like this, Mahdi says, are happening more often. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 For Prescott, a first-time national winner who has spent the last 45 years in the trucking industry, simply reaching Pittsburgh was the result of years of close calls and incremental progress. — Alice Barlow, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 There have been some close calls, with the closest being a 75-74 defeat in Game 2 of last season’s opening round, a game where Golden State held multiple large leads before succumbing late to a Minnesota comeback. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 There are many close calls, and younger kids may need to be prepped. — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Aug. 2026 Homendy has warned that without making changes in regulations, operating procedures and laws, close calls and incidents like what happened with Marine One could continue to occur. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 One of those close calls even ended with Tom Cruise coming to her rescue. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026 Belgium Belgium have had a few close calls, but their attack has shown exactly why they are considered dark horses. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 July 2026 Finally, Lionel Messi's Argentina, having narrowly advanced, faces a defensive-minded Switzerland, with Argentina expected to win despite recent close calls. — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for close calls

close shaves

Noun

Villa rely on its revenue to push their limits, so going another year on the outside will mean player sales, budget cuts and very, very close shaves with financial sanctions.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The Torreys are accustomed to, pun intended, close shaves.

— Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025

Definition of close shaves

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close call

close calls

closed

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“Close calls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20calls. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of close calls

noun

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