CLOSE (DOWN) Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

close (down) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of close (down)

as in to shut

to stop the operations of the coal mine was closed down in the 1930s

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

closedown

2 of 2

noun

ˈklōz-ˌdau̇n

as in cessation

the stopping of a process or activity ordered a closedown of operations until the cause of the mine explosion could be determined

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of close (down)

Noun

During the closedown period, the amount of sand taken from the beach will be lowered to a maximum of 240,000 tons a year from an average of almost 300,000 that state regulators say had been taken out over the past three decades. — Jim Carlton, WSJ, 13 July 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for close (down)

Verb

Marineland shut its doors in 2024, kicking off a race to find new homes for its 30 beluga whales and four dolphins before they would be euthanized.

— CYBELE MAYES-OSTERMAN, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
As the company was shutting its doors in 2022, Gelman opened the Six Bells in Cobble Hill, a country-style home goods store with kitchenware, antiques, and products from local small brands.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shut

Noun

Those commitments should be included in a framework agreement, signed by all sides, which outlines the core elements of an eventual peace and enables a cessation of hostilities.

— Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
Texas law defines brain death as the irreversible cessation of brain function.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of cessation

Verb

The Athletic reported that the relationship between Villa chairman Nassef Sawiris and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was seen as key to closing the deal.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf speaks during closing arguments for the preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, on Tuesday.

— Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of close

Noun

At Mattel, cultural relevance came with a blockbuster ending.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Earlier this summer, speculation regarding Ariana Grande’s weight and body image reached a fever pitch after the singer announced her retreat from public life following the ending of her ongoing tour next week.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ending

Noun

Iran however said a supertanker that had caught fire over the weekend had struck two naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, bringing it to a halt.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Upon arrival, Gideon slowly grows more suspicious of the theories as to why their 30-year friendship screeched to such an abrupt halt, but also of the reports of Gillian’s fatal accident.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of halt

Noun

Still, the emotionally stunted John claims not to harbor ill feelings toward Hal, though this is most certainly challenged by the end of the episode.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Even near the end of an August in which the Jays went 17-11, the team posted a near-average wRC+ (101 entering Sunday).

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of end

Noun

Following the closure of Farfetch, LVMH purchased a 60% majority stake in the brand in July 2021, while the remaining 40% remained the property of Abloh, who had become LV men’s creative director in 2018.

— Luke Leitch, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
The closure channeled extra traffic to and then backed up I-285 northbound on both sides of town from well before its two I-20 intersections.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of closure

Noun

The Senate approved the measure overwhelmingly because lawmakers are eager to avoid another shutdown and to campaign before the midterms.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
The turbine room could have filled with water if the emergency shutdown systems failed, potentially drowning anyone inside.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of shutdown

Browse Nearby Words

closed out

close (down)

closedown

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Close (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20%28down%29. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of close (down)

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

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

Popular

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes