more or less

adverb

Definition of more or lessnext
1
as in almost
very close to but not completely the lot is 16 acres more or less

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretty
to some degree or extent most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in approximately
close to but not exactly the box weighs 60 pounds more or less

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 more or less Over the past half century, Americans have grown accustomed to regional conflicts fought by specialized professional troops, in which the support of Congress or the American public seems more or less irrelevant. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Whites are more or less spot-on with all three signals, and no colors show any significant tint. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026 But the film is something of an endangered species since studios have more or less stopped making theatrical comedies. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026 But at face value, neither plan is more effective than the other—rather, dietary patterns are more or less effective depending on each individual person. — Lindsay Curtis, HEALTH, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for more or less
Recent Examples of Synonyms for more or less
  1. almost
  2. pretty
  3. approximately
  4. practically
  5. quite
  6. about
  7. nearly
  8. relatively
Adverb
  • The gain comes almost entirely from the tech space, with big chipmakers like Advanced Micro Devices and Marvell Technology leading the rally.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The Crocodile hosts live music almost every night of the year in its 750-person venue.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of almost
Adverb
  • Last week’s episode was pretty bad, but this one is even more disappointing in some ways.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2026
  • What’s more, this new material is actually pretty strong, with 12 MPa compressive strength and 6 MPa flexural strength.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • Functional connectivity in the fetal brain develops substantially later in gestation, with measurable differences in brain activity and facial responses to noxious versus innocuous stimulation appearing at approximately 33 weeks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Passengers traveling from Manhattan can also connect to the BLADEone aircraft at Westchester County Airport by helicopter, with BLADE advertising the helicopter transfer at approximately 12 minutes.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • The actress is an enormously entertaining presence, and the premise practically begs for an explosive music video finale.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Mark Folk, one of Bob’s closest friends since college, remembers Bob going from barely running to entering races practically every weekend.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of practically
Adverb
  • Even when Monét isn’t being quite as playful as on past releases, her personality sparkles brighter than her esteemed guests.
    — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • No other property in Key West captures the true resort feel quite like this.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • There are currently around 1,000 new Pip claims submitted every day in the UK; about 34% are successful.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The group controls about one-third of Yemen’s landmass, though the areas under its control are the most strategically important and densely populated.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • South Korea's Kospi declined nearly 2% and Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 ended flat.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • One study found that, while just under half of hiring managers looked for AI and related tech skills, nearly three quarters (73%) prized critical thinking/problem-solving, and 65% looked for adaptability/learning agility.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of nearly
Adverb
  • Some say the possibility of being slapped with the fees is a factor in buyers’ waning interest in condos, which have long been a relatively affordable option, at the same time that construction of new condos has continued to lag across the state.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Back in 1964, even a relatively enlightened critic like Robert Shelton, who played a pivotal role in introducing Bob Dylan to a national audience three years before, was a Beatles skeptic.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of relatively

Browse Nearby Words

more
more or less
moreover
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“More or less.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/more%20or%20less. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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