more or less

adverb

Synonyms of more or lessnext
1
: to a varying or undetermined extent or degree : somewhat
they were more or less willing to help
2
: with small variations : approximately
contains 16 acres more or less

Synonyms of more or less

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Examples of more or less in a Sentence

the lot is 16 acres more or less most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage
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.
Her work’s recognition by international curators and her decision to start drawing again were more or less simultaneous events. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 Trask’s release on Sunday was more or less written on the wall. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026 If both top closers have to do more or less the same thing, namely, stay in contention, arguably what has to happen here for either to hit the wire first, then the next question is, who wins in a stretch duel. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 From that point on, Kusama’s absorbing and fresh art, once charged by avant-garde energies, became more or less a meaning-free expression of market principles, an exercise in branding. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for more or less

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of more or less was in the 13th century

Rhymes for more or less

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Browse Nearby Words

more often than not
more or less
moreover
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Cite this Entry

“More or less.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/more%20or%20less. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

more or less

adverb
1
: to a varying or uncertain degree : somewhat
they were more or less willing to help
2
: with small variations : approximately
contains 16 acres more or less
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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