Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

close shave

[klohs] / kloʊs /
ADJECTIVE
near
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjacent adjoining immediate nearby neighboring warm
STRONG
abutting bordering burning close nigh ready touching
WEAK
abreast along toward alongside approximal around at close quarters available beside close-at-hand close-by conterminous contiguous convenient hair's breadth handy in close proximity near-at-hand next door not remote practically proximal proximate side-by-side vincinal within stone's throw
Antonyms
STRONGEST
away detached distant far faraway separate
STRONG
cool
WEAK
deferred expired gone past postponed remote unfamiliar
NOUN
cliffhanger
Synonyms
STRONGEST
close call shocker
STRONG
squeaker thriller
WEAK
narrow escape spine-chiller white knuckle
NOUN
close call
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cliffhanger
WEAK
close squeeze close thing hairbreadth escape heart stopper narrow escape narrow squeak near go near miss near squeak near thing photofinish squeaker tight squeeze white-knuckler
NOUN
near miss
Synonyms
WEAK
close call narrow escape near hit near thing squeaker tight squeeze

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As fewer and fewer men opt for a close shave, the 25-year-old Kabul barber said he was already losing business.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

My mother also had a close shave with death.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2023

Eco-conscious consumers are looking for plastic-free razors that deliver a safe, close shave.

From Washington Post • Jan. 3, 2023

In St. Louis, setting up the stage at the bottom of an amphitheater-like glen avoided that problem, but squeezing it into that spot was a worrisomely close shave.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2021

And he just about looks like Santa Claus after a close shave.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle