at close quarters

ADJECTIVE

near

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adjacent adjoining immediate nearby neighboring warm

STRONG

abutting bordering burning close nigh ready touching

WEAK

abreast along toward alongside approximal around available beside close shave close-at-hand close-by conterminous contiguous convenient hair's breadth handy in close proximity near-at-hand next door not remote practically proximal proximate side-by-side vincinal within stone's throw

Antonyms

STRONGEST

away detached distant far faraway separate

STRONG

cool

WEAK

deferred expired gone past postponed remote unfamiliar

ADVERB

nearby

Synonyms

STRONGEST

near

WEAK

about close close at hand hard near-at-hand nigh not far away

Antonyms

WEAK

far faraway

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Scotland battled bravely at close quarters - especially on their own line - but gave away two soft tries as a result of weak defence further up the pitch.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

The account highlights the preferred tactic of Burhan's opponent General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, namely fighting at close quarters and playing to the strengths of his RSF.

From Reuters • May 10, 2023

And I had wondered how it would feel to be back — at close quarters, with no masking or vaccine requirements — at the big top again.

From New York Times • Nov. 25, 2022

Former Fox News executive and chief Murdoch lobbyist Preston Padden watched his boss at close quarters as he exercised the art of political power.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2022

Well, to tell you the truth, I hardly go into Salisbury myself, so I couldn't really say what it's like at close quarters.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

at close quarters

Example Sentences

Related Words