The farmer that lived nearby came to investigate.
Source: tatoeba (18672)
Nearby
/ˌnɪə(ɹ)ˈbaɪ/
Synonyms for "nearby" (128 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (26)
Strong matches (38)
Noun(11 words)
contiguousconvenientconvenient toeasily reachedfast byhandhandyhardhard byhereabouthereaboutsimmediatein juxtapositionin spitting distancein the vicinityjust around the cornerlocal
Adjective(10 words)
handiesticelandic nálægtlocal analysislocal audiencelocal communitieslocal communitylocal customslocal ecosystemlocal establishmentlocal gatherings
Related words (64)
Adjective(18 words)
Noun(12 words)
local wordlocally availablemore localmost localnearingneighborhoodneighborhood clubsnot isolatedshort haulsurroundingtell someone abouttouching
nearnear at handnearaboutnearaboutsneighboringnighnigh aboutnot faron one sideon the sideonly a steppastpoint-blankpresentpropinquantpropinquousproximateready at handroundsidelong
Show 10 more words
surroundingthereaboutthereaboutsto handto one sideto the sidewithin callwithin earshotwithin hearingwithin reach
Verb(1 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: about, accessible, adjacent, adjacent, adjacently.
- Sentence evidence is available for nearby, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "nearby".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "nearby"
Keep "nearby" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "nearby" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "nearby", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "nearby" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
10 entriesadjacentadjoiningcontiguousin the near futurein the vicinityin walking distanceneighboringshortlysoonwithin reach
Collocations
8 entriesnearby creeknearby librarynearby neighborhoodnearby parknearby residentsnearby schoolnearby storenearby town
Derivations
1 entriessimilar
3 entriesSample sentences
15 total sentences available.
We could hear the donnnng ... donnnng of the church bells nearby.
Source: tatoeba (18732)
There is a hospital nearby.
Source: tatoeba (18733)
There is a shopping area nearby.
Source: tatoeba (18734)
Showing 4 of 15 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "nearby"?
Closest matches include about, accessible, adjacent, adjacent, adjacently.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "nearby"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.