nearness

noun

Definition of nearnessnext
1
as in intimacy
the state of being in a very personal or private relationship my cousin and I have lost that nearness we had when we were kids

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proximity
the state or condition of being near our nearness to the theme park has made us beloved by relatives from all over the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nearness This can be blamed on the nearness of the fires (north of the Minnesota arrowhead region) and the shear number and size of fires in that area. — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 17 July 2026 The nearness of the zealous asteroid Eris in Aries adds a touch of drama and intensity to the cosmic atmosphere. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 10 June 2026 City officials say the project is complicated because of the nearness of the freeway and the Los Angeles River. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 That tension—between nearness and distance, inside and outside—defines the film’s structure and tone. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026 The nearness of bees, and of other things that agitate most people, calms me. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025 Overstating the nearness of human-level intelligence or ignoring ethical, safety, and energy concerns erodes trust and triggers backlash. — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nearness
  1. intimacy
  2. proximity
  3. familiarity
  4. belonging
  5. kinship
Noun
  • The vast auditorium offered a sense of intimacy with floating clouds and twinkling lights like a visitor would still see at the Music Box Theatre in Lakeview today.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Dyrholm will star as a woman who is unable to acknowledge and access her own feelings and constructs intimacy by stealing objects from people instead of getting close to them.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimacy
Noun
  • For eclipse day, the mile-long Playa de la Rada is the obvious gathering place, with its broad Mediterranean horizon and proximity to the town center.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • This budding storm isn’t expected to become super powerful, but its proximity to the coast elevates its wind threat.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of proximity
Noun
  • The remaining shades include Townsend Harbour Brown, White Down, and Nelson Blue, all of which are tinged with the comfort of familiarity.
    — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And while the Dodgers haven’t done anything against them yet, that familiarity could help in the rest of the series.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of familiarity
Noun
  • The family does not have renters insurance, leaving them without coverage to replace their belongings.
    — Joan Murray, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The house was stuffed with the belongings of people who had lived there.
    — Barbara Rose, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of belonging
Noun
  • The Masts dispute the family's kinship and argue that reopening the adoption now would be a significant disruption for the girl, who is now 7 and has been living with their family for years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The film reflects on faith, kinship and the passage from life to death.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of kinship

Browse Nearby Words

near misses
nearness
nears
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Cite this Entry

“Nearness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nearness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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