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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variants
or hairsbreadth
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
just missed the bull's-eye by a hairbreadth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hairbreadth
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
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
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
-
Spotlights provide a narrower beam of light that is better for seeing long distances.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
-
Often, places didn’t live up to the listings, with professional photos that turned dark into light, small into large, narrow into wide.—
Joyce Cohen,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
The Almanac Average temperature: High 88, Low 66 Rainfall: 3.74 inches 1.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The entire unit is about 15.1 inches in diameter and 5.3 inches thick (383.3 mm by 135.5 mm).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Melania Trump wears black veil to Pope Francis' funeral as President Trump dons blue suit As the president's second term in office passes the 100-day mark, here is a closer look at the first lady's lookbook.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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The delicate form of the crescent moon is set to draw close to the planet Jupiter in the post-sunset sky on April 29, before later making its closest approach to the gas giant from the perspective of Earth on April 30.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Dodgers again avoided the worst but don’t know when their top relief ace from last October will be back.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Derek Bashford Carlsbad Boys volleyball Pounding six service aces as well as collecting eight kills, the senior led the red-hot Lancers (15 straight victories) to a key 25-20, 25-11, 31-29 victory over Torrey Pines in North County Coastal League action.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The hearing will mark the first time a federal judge has considered the issue since Trump issued an executive order last month directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to shrink the department.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Democratic Party leaders are trying to figure out their next steps as Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg's efforts to primary Democratic incumbents alarms party officials.—
Anne Bryson,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Lead by the restorative properties of prickly pear oil, this rich mask helps restore the hair shaft, improve split ends, and achieve overall healthier hair.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2025
-
As the real Del Rey stepped out in a crimson gown with her hair in perfect curls, phones shot into the air for the performance’s climax.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But their magnum opus was 1978’s Dub Housing, where Thomas shows off his collection of animal noises, grunts, yelps, and screeches, up to his neck in industrial synth-and-guitar factory noise.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
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The defense pointed to photos that showed Molly did have that red mark on her neck.—
Maureen Maher,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hairbreadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hairbreadth. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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