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Closely vs Narrowly - What's the difference?

closely | narrowly |

As adverbs the difference between closely and narrowly

is that closely is in a close manner while narrowly is in a narrow manner; without flexibility or latitude.

closely

English

Adverb

(en-adv)
  • In a close manner.
    • Finnish and Estonian are closely related languages.
    The borderline between East and West Berlin was very closely guarded.
    The chairs are too closely spaced.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=April 29 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992) citation , page= , passage=“King Homer” follows the story of King Kong closely , with Mr. Burns taking the freakishly over-sized King Homer from his native Africa, where he lives proud as a simian god, to the United States, where he is an initially impressive but ultimately rather limited Broadway attraction. }}
  • (obsolete) secretly; privately
  • * Spenser
    • That nought she did but wayle, and often steepe / Her dainty couch with tears which closely she did weepe.

    narrowly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In a narrow manner; without flexibility or latitude.
    • They regarded the new idea rather narrowly .
  • *
    • There is now such an immense "microliterature" on hepatics that, beyond a certain point I have given up trying to integrate (and evaluate) every minor paper published—especially narrowly floristic papers.
  • By a narrow margin; closely.
    • They narrowly escaped collision.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=October 29 , author=Neil Johnston , title=Norwich 3 - 3 Blackburn , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The visitors had not managed an away win in the top flight since the final day of last season, but Mauro Formica set the tone in the second minute with a rasping 25-yard drive which flew narrowly wide.}}