to close in

Examples

• All

• French forces are closing in from all directions.

• When he comes to get the meat we drop the net and close in on him.

  The Monster of Piedras Blancas (1959)

• "They closed in upon me."

  The Seventh Cross (1944)

• They've been closing in on us all night.

  Tears of the Sun (2003)

• Lando saw that a small ship was closing in on his position.

  Fiction book (1991)

• We're closing in on Eddie Boyd and his gang.

  Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster (2011)

• All their attention was strained to hear the men as they closed in on Damian.

  Fiction book (1991)

• With night closing in, the Egyptians gave up the battle and retreated.

• While the second guardian struggled to keep its balance, Worf closed in and grabbed its arms.

  Fiction book (1992)

• The hunters closed in on the deer, making sure not to scare it away.

Synonyms

S

to surround

vsto close in

∞ 1.7

To be all around a person or thing on every side

focuses on approaching from every direction to form the surrounding rather than being static

E

to enclose

vsto close in

84 3.7

Surround something completely, often with a wall or fence

is an active approach from all sides to form an enclosure by movement

C

to close in on

vsto close in

63 3.9

Move nearer to someone or something, often to surround and catch them

is similar but applies generally to closing from all sides, not only for attack

E

to envelop

vsto close in

41 4.5

To surround something completely, like fog or darkness

moves nearer from all sides to encircle by approach rather than cover

W

to wall in

vsto close in

7 5.8

To build a barrier around something to keep people in or keep others out

is the act of closing in from all directions, not specifically using built walls

H

to hem in

vsto close in

6 6.7

Surround a person or thing so they cannot leave

is about moving in from all sides, not only about limiting movement tightly

D

to draw in

vsto close in

1 4.3

Move closer to surround something

is broader, meaning general closing from all sides rather than capture intent

C

to crowd in on

vsto close in

1 4.8

To move close together around a person or thing leaving little space

refers to approaching from every side to enclose, not just crowding near with little space

I

to inclose

vsto close in

• Archaic

7.8

Surround something completely on all sides to shut it in

moves nearer from every side to form an enclosing action rather than static closure

S

to shut in

vsto close in

5.1

Surround something completely so it cannot get out or move

is the action of approaching from all sides rather than the final locked state

Antonyms

P

to pull away

86 3.5

To move away from people or a place to create space

How Enclosed

to enclose

84 3.7

to encircle

33 3.4

to close in

119 4.6

to surround

∞ 1.7

to circle

210 1.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology