Close by USA Today Crossword Clue
The answer to the “Close by” crossword clue is NEAR (4 letters); other puzzles used NEARTO. We have seen this clue 13 times in USA Today and New York Times and New York Times Bonus and Universal crosswords, most recently on October 12, 2026.
Answer
THE ANSWER SEEN MOST OFTEN · 4 LETTERS
1N2E3A4R
NEAR: situated within a short distance.
Best answers for “Close by”
| Rank | Answer | Letters | Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NEAR | 4 | Close by |
| 2 | NEARTO | 6 | Close by |
| 3 | SHUT | 3 | Close similar clue |
| 4 | PHEW | 4 | "That was a close one!" similar clue |
| 5 | ALMOST | 6 | "So close!" similar clue |
| 6 | AFAR | 4 | Not close similar clue |
| 7 | INGOOD | 6 | Close (with) similar clue |
The first 2 answers are for this clue; the others answered clues with the same main words.
Seen in
| Crossword | Date | Answer | Clue page |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA Today | October 12, 2026 | NEAR | 8 Down |
| New York Times | October 12, 2026 | NEAR | 13 Across |
| New York Times Bonus | August 1, 2026 | NEAR | 32 Down |
| New York Times | July 5, 2026 | NEAR | 80 Across |
| Universal | March 4, 2026 | NEAR | 36 Across |
| New York Times | February 16, 2026 | NEAR | 41 Across |
| USA Today | December 2, 2025 | NEAR | 36 Down |
| New York Times Bonus | December 1, 2025 | NEAR | 42 Down |
| Universal | June 23, 2025 | NEAR | 55 Down |
| USA Today | April 8, 2025 | NEAR | 18 Across |
| USA Today | December 15, 2024 | NEAR | 63 Across |
| New York Times | November 22, 2024 | NEARTO | 25 Down |
| Universal | October 23, 2024 | NEAR | 60 Across |
Other clues for NEAR
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Questions about the Close by Crossword Clue
What is the 4-letter answer to the Close by crossword clue?
NEAR is the 4-letter answer to the “Close by” crossword clue, the one we have seen most often.
When was the Close by crossword clue last used?
In the USA Today of October 12, 2026. We have seen it 13 times.
What are other possible answers to the Close by crossword clue?
Other puzzles used NEARTO for this clue. Similar clues were answered with SHUT (“Close”), PHEW (“"That was a close one!"”), ALMOST (“"So close!"”).