narrow 1 of 3

adjective

ˈner-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce narrow (audio)
Definition of narrownext
1
as in thin
being of less than usual width found a narrow opening in the fence that he was able to squeeze through

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in small
not broad or open in views or opinions a narrow person who thought that anyone who even owned a television had been morally corrupted by society

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3
as in limited
having distinct or certain limits a play about human suffering, but in a narrower sense, also about the modern struggles of the working-class poor

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4
as in close
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors a narrow gubernatorial contest, the outcome of which may depend upon a handful of votes

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5
as in parochial
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints tried to convince the narrow members of her family that there are many paths to a successful career that don't involve getting a university degree

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

narrow

2 of 3

noun

as in bay

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narrow

3 of 3

verb

as in to tighten

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Dissimilar Words

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 narrow
Adjective
Among the most interesting structures found there are stellar streams — long, narrow trails of stars that orbit a galaxy. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, and a 53-47 majority in the Senate. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
Millions of Americans have peripheral artery disease, a vascular disorder in which the buildup of plaque narrows arteries and blocks blood flow in the legs. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 29 May 2026 Many famed surf spots to the south — like Doheny, San Clemente and San Onofre — also have seen the beach narrow precipitously. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Blakespear’s legislation would narrow those exemptions and exclude certain processing and manufacturing uses. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The Winner Receives a National Prize Package The public voting rounds gradually narrow the field until the final competitors remain. — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for narrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrow
  1. thin
  2. small
  3. limited
  4. close
  5. parochial
  6. bay
  7. tighten
  8. slender
Adjective
  • Days turn crisp, aspens begin streaking the valley with gold and summer crowds thin in Grand Teton National Park.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike mainstream fusion projects such as tokamaks, the Texatron does not rely on giant superconducting magnets to hold a thin gas in place for long periods.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • That’s a dangerous prospect for any country, but especially for Singapore, crammed into a space smaller than New York City.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But after home brewers were able to show the appeal of hoppy IPAs, malty stouts and citrusy wheat ales, that eventually led to a boom in small breweries.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • Not only did the limited library cards and shirts go fast, the whole rotunda reached legal capacity in just 20 minutes post-doors open time.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There have been some limited cases in which noncitizens have been criminally charged for voting or attempting to vote, including in Michigan, but it's been rare and not thought to have altered the outcome of any elections.
    — Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of limited
Adjective
  • California Cruise is even closer than expected, with deliveries slated to begin next year.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The success of this trial was possible through the close and constructive cooperation between the participating German Air Force organisations, the exercise management team and the expert teams from Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of close
Adjective
  • Among the bureaucratic, parochial, pastoral and familial spaces his work takes his clients, a reflection on roots, gentrification and the act of remaining emerges.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In some cases, opposition might amount to parochial not in my backyard — or NIMBY — concerns.
    — Stefan Chavez-Norgaard, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of parochial
Noun
  • Rooms and suites offer views over the ocean, the South Mumbai cityscape, or the bay and are elegantly fitted for business and leisure travellers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Certain roads — such as Highway 37, which connects Marin County to Napa County on the bay shoreline — as well as parts of Highway 101 and coastal Highway 1 are all at risk for flooding.
    — Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of bay
Verb
  • As tuition climbs and federal oversight tightens on low-earning programs, a new tool lets families compare outcomes across California campuses.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, a July 2026 Federal Reserve survey on bank lending practices showed that, compared to 2005, lending standards have tightened for all types of loans, except commercial and industrial lending.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tighten
Adjective
  • The tall, slender Berry imagined, chronicled and lived out his vision of a self-sustaining community in which no one had to ask where their food came from or the names of their neighbors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Several other curved, slender bones were soon found nearby, according to pictures shared with the station.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of slender

Phrases Containing narrow

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narratives
narrow
narrow boat
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Cite this Entry

“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrow. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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