close quarters

plural noun

ˈklōs- How to pronounce close quarters (audio)
: immediate contact or close range
fought at close quarters

Examples of close quarters in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The close quarters on planes and variable public views on appropriate flight etiquette are a recipe for tension. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 But the close quarters and intimate relationships mean that personal problems immediately become group issues and, as sitcoms go, quickly spiral out of control. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026 Fitzpatrick said because the chihuahuas have lived in close quarters together, many of them will do well in an environment with other pets. — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Were my tears simply the cumulative effect of relaxation, beauty, and time in unusually close quarters with strangers encouraged to be vulnerable? — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for close quarters

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of close quarters was in 1686

Rhymes for close quarters

See All Rhymes for close quarters

Browse Nearby Words

close-quarter
close quarters
closer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Close quarters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close%20quarters. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All