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close in on

VERB
surround
Synonyms
STRONGEST
besiege circle envelop hem in inundate ring
STRONG
beleaguer beset blockade border bound circumscribe circumvent compass confine edge enclave encompass environ fringe gird girdle invest limit loop margin outline rim round skirt verge
WEAK
box in close around close in fence in go around lay siege to shut in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
free
STRONG
allow center let go lose permit release

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.

"We needed to get the points to close in on the teams above us," said Simeone.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

Verstappen was able to rejoin still in the lead, Russell having been unable to close in on the Red Bull despite his fresher tyres.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

When they close in on a target, the bats unleash rapid bursts of short calls, signaling the final stage of attack.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

He seizes our attention in every scene, naturalistically conveying Robbie’s touching decency as the walls close in on him.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2025

He pelted toward a shortcut, hoping to overtake the brother and sister and close in on Snape and Malfoy, who must surely have reached the grounds by now.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

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