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Synonyms

well-nigh

American  
[wel-nahy] / ˈwɛlˌnaɪ /

adverb

  1. very nearly; almost.

    It's well-nigh bedtime.


well-nigh British  

adverb

  1. nearly; almost

    it's well-nigh three o'clock

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See almost.

Etymology

Origin of well-nigh

before 1150; Middle English; Old English

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.

On the plus side, it is now well-nigh impossible to get away with homicide in Scotland thanks to major investigation teams whose expertise is dispatched wherever required.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2023

She will be well-nigh star material as a result of this performance.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2023

And conversations in a crowded restaurant or bar become well-nigh unintelligible.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 26, 2022

The Endurance video is well-nigh Spielbergian, almost too wondrous, too exquisitely “art directed,” to be believed.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2022

The soil of a large proportion of the land planted to tobacco has been subjected to “cumulative and well-nigh permanent poisoning,” according to Dr. Satterlee.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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