Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

closer

[kloh-zer] / ˈkloʊ zər /
ADVERB
nearer
Synonyms
STRONG
close by nearby
WEAK
hither
Antonyms
STRONGEST
farther
NOUN
clincher
Synonyms
STRONG
culmination deathblow finisher
WEAK
capper coup de grâce crowning blow deciding moment finishing touch
NOUN
finale
Synonyms
STRONGEST
climax conclusion denouement
STRONG
afterpiece cessation chaser close consummation culmination end epilogue finis finish payoff peroration summation termination wind-up
WEAK
blow off crowning glory end piece last act swan song
Antonyms
STRONG
beginning commencement initiation introduction opening start
WEAK
debut first act
NOUN
pitcher
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ace baseball player reliever
STRONG
hurler
WEAK
knuckleballer middle reliever
NOUN
relief pitcher
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bullpen reliever stopper
WEAK
fireman inner reliever long reliever middle reliever short reliever
NOUN
swan song
Synonyms
STRONGEST
farewell wind-up
WEAK
adieu climax coda conclusion crowning achievement crowning glory culmination dying words end piece envoi epilogue famous last words farewell performance final appearance final appearance or performance final gesture finis goodbye last act last hurrah last shot last words parting song peroration

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.

Northern Ireland is also closer to hitting its 31-day target than its 62-day measure.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

In the top of the sixth, he broke a 3-3 tie by sending a hanging slider from closer Jack Champlin over the fence in left field for a two-run home run.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

The album’s closer, “Driftin’ Cowboy,” will nail down this collection for some as outright folk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

SpaceX, Elon Musk’s rocket company is getting closer to one of its biggest launches yet: a Wall Street listing.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

It sounded like a distant humming at first, then it became a droning, like a swarm of bees, a swarm that was coming closer, ever closer.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.