narrowly
/'nærouli/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a narrow manner; with little margin or allowance: This refers to doing something with very little room for variation, error, or difference. It often implies a strict, limited, or precise interpretation or margin.
- By a very small margin; almost not: This meaning indicates that something almost did not happen or was barely achieved or avoided.
Usage
- To interpret or define narrowly: To understand or explain something in a strict, limited, or specific way, without considering broader possibilities.
- To escape, avoid, or win narrowly: To succeed or fail by a very small margin, emphasizing how close the outcome was.
Examples
- Interpreting in a narrow manner:
- The judge interpreted the constitutional clause narrowly, limiting its application to only the most explicit cases.
- He defines success narrowly, focusing only on financial wealth.
- By a very small margin:
- The bill passed narrowly, by just two votes.
- She narrowly missed the train; the doors closed just as she reached the platform.
- The driver narrowly avoided a collision by swerving at the last second.
Advanced Usage
- "To focus narrowly": To concentrate on a very specific aspect or detail, excluding other considerations.
- The investigation is focusing narrowly on the financial transactions from last month.
- "To be narrowly defeated": To lose by a very small margin.
- The champion was narrowly defeated in a surprising upset.
Variants and Related Words
- Narrow (adjective): Of small width; limited in scope or extent.
- The path was too narrow for the car.
- Narrowness (noun): The quality or state of being narrow.
- The narrowness of his views prevented him from seeing the bigger picture.
Synonyms
- Barely: Only just; almost not.
- He barely passed the exam.
- Just: Exactly or by a very small margin.
- The ball was just out of bounds.
- Closely: With little difference or margin; in a careful and attentive way.
- The two candidates were closely matched.
Antonyms
- Broadly: In a wide manner; generally; without limitations.
- The rule was applied broadly to all employees.
- Widely: To a great degree; by a large margin.
- The theory is widely accepted by scientists.
- Comfortably: With a large or sufficient margin; without difficulty.
- She won the race comfortably.
Related Phrases
- A narrow escape/squeak: A situation where danger or failure is avoided only by a very small margin.
- Surviving the avalanche was a narrow escape.
- A narrow victory/win: A win achieved by a very small margin.
- The election resulted in a narrow victory for the incumbent.
Adverb
- in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions
- he interprets the law narrowly