hairbreadth

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.

In a theater dependent on exaggerated storylines — hairbreadth escapes, implausible coincidences and either conclusively happy or disastrous endings — how can the momentousness of ordinary life be captured?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2023

We all finished, and within a hairbreadth of our goal times.

From Washington Post • Dec. 28, 2022

On Wednesday, the campaign was just a hairbreadth away from reaching its goal of $1.7 million, thanks to 3,400 donors, roughly double the number in mid-December last year.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 17, 2020

In December 1960, the Electoral College confirmed Kennedy’s victory, giving him 303 votes to Nixon’s 219, with Kennedy taking a hairbreadth popular-vote margin over Nixon of slightly more than 100,000 votes.

From New York Times • Oct. 29, 2016

The Red Viper had even tried to defend the Imp, had come within a hairbreadth of a victory that would have allowed the dwarf to escape the blame for Joffrey’s murder.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin