1. near (vs. far), close, nigh, adjacent, nearby, warm, hot
usage: not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances; "near neighbors"; "in the near future"; "they are near equals"; "his nearest approach to success"; "a very near thing"; "a near hit by the bomb"; "she was near tears"; "she was close to tears"; "had a close call"
2. near(prenominal), nigh(prenominal), left (vs. right)
usage: being on the left side; "the near or nigh horse is the one on the left"; "the animal's left side is its near or nigh side"
3. near, artificial (vs. natural), unreal
usage: closely resembling the genuine article; "near beer"; "a dress of near satin"
usage: giving or spending with reluctance; "our cheeseparing administration"; "very close (or near) with his money"; "a penny-pinching miserly old man"
5. dear, good, near, close (vs. distant)
usage: with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear"
6. approximate, near, close (vs. distant)
usage: very close in resemblance; "sketched in an approximate likeness"; "a near likeness"
Adverb
1. nearer, nigher, closer
usage: (comparative of `near' or `close') within a shorter distance; "come closer, my dear!"; "they drew nearer"; "getting nearer to the true explanation"