Answer: almost

AnswerCrossword Clue
ALMOST"Close but no cigar"
ALMOSTPractically.
ALMOSTNear.
ALMOSTShort of
ALMOSTNigh
ALMOSTAs good as
ALMOSTConsoling word to a loser
ALMOSTThis doesn't count, in a saying
ALMOST"You just missed!"
ALMOSTBordering on
ALMOSTNot quite.
ALMOST"Missed it by tha-a-at much!"
ALMOSTFlorida band that "nearly" made it?
ALMOSTAbout
ALMOSTBarely
ALMOSTClose
ALMOSTPractically
almostnearly
almostvery nearly
ALMOSTWell-nigh
ALMOST"... Blue" (Elvis Costello)
ALMOSTSo close to being
ALMOSTNearly
ALMOSTJust about
ALMOSTNot quite
ALMOSTClose, but no cigar
ALMOST"Close!"
ALMOSTOn the brink of
ALMOST"Close, but no cigar"
ALMOSTVirtually
ALMOSTVery nearly
ALMOSTClose to
ALMOSTA bit under
ALMOSTApproaching
ALMOSTNearly.
ALMOSTJust about.
ALMOSTWell-nigh.