Definitions

by a hair

ADVERB

hardly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barely comparatively practically rarely seldom simply somewhat

STRONG

just

WEAK

almost inconceivably almost not by no means detectably faintly gradually imperceptibly infrequently little no more than no way not a bit not at all not by much not likely not markedly not measurably not much not notably not noticeably not often not quite once in a blue moon only only just perceptibly pretty near scantly slightly sparsely sporadically with trouble

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently

WEAK

very

ADVERB

narrowly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barely carefully

WEAK

almost by a whisker by narrow margin close nearly only just painstakingly scarcely scrutinizingly

Antonyms

WEAK

carelessly imprecisely

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.

Although revenue grew 2.5% to $2.56 billion, the number missed analysts’ calls for $2.57 billion by a hair.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

For 35 years, Cruise’s super spy Ethan Hunt and his rotating, crackerjack team of rogue agents have been saving the world from annihilation time and time again, skirting death by a hair each time.

From Salon • May 24, 2025

As of Wednesday, the measure was winning by a hair.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2024

It’s a close race, but the Tucson takes the win by a hair for its slightly better user experience and more generous standard features list.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2022

Coming in at number fourteen in the rankings, I’d missed making the thirteen-woman team by a hair, but it might as well have been a mile.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

by a hair

Example Sentences

Related Words