close-in
1 of 2adjective
ˈklōs-ˈin 
1
: near a center of activity and especially a city
close-in suburbs
2
: occurring or designed for use within a narrowly limited area
close-in fighting
close-in weapons
close in
2 of 2verb
ˈklōz-
closed in; closing in; closes in
transitive verb
1
: to encircle closely and isolate
2
: to enshroud to such an extent as to preclude entrance or exit
the airport was closed in by the storm
intransitive verb
1
: to gather in close all around with an oppressing or isolating effect
despair closed in on her
2
: to approach to close quarters especially for an attack, raid, or arrest
the police closed in
3
: to grow dark
the short November day was already closing in
Ellen Glasgow
Ellen Glasgow
Synonyms
Verb
- approach
- belly up
- close
- come up
- draw on
- near
- nigh
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb the eagle closed in on its prey with evening closing in we knew we had to find shelter fairly soon
Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
closes in
verb
1
as in comes
to come near or nearer the eagle closed in on its prey Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- comes
- draws on
- closes
- approaches
- comes up
- nears
- turns up
- creeps up
- shows up
- reaches
- arrives
- sneaks up
- bellies up
- lands
- nighs
- attains
- gains
- hits
- makes
- waltzes (up)
- borders
- touches
- adjoins
- verges
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- withdraws
- backs (up or away)
- retires
- retreats
- takes off
- recedes
- walks out
- goes
- leaves
- shoves (off)
- removes
- exits
- clears out
- departs
- quits
- lights out
- runs away
- pulls out
2
as in darkens
to grow dark with evening closing in we knew we had to find shelter fairly soon Synonyms & Similar Words
- darkens
- blacks out
- fades
- dusks
- blackens
- dims
- wanes
- glooms
- lowers
- lours
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lights
- brightens
- lightens
- shines
- radiates
- beams
- dawns
- glows