| HAMSANDWICH | Which, as near as damn it, is a picnic goodie? (3,8) |
| CYPRES | Country almost looks like it is as near as possible (2,4) |
| SEA | "The ___ is as near as we come to another world" (Anne Stevenson) |
| CLOSEHAULED | In trim for sailing as near as possible towards where the wind is coming from |
| CLOSEST | Stuffing last of suits into cupboard as near as possible (7) |
| CANAPE | Clare consumes starters as near as possible to finger food (6) |
| NOTQUITE | Letter about surrender, as near as dammit? (3,5) |
| ARENAS | As near as rings can be (6) |
| SCROOGE | "Literary character" was as near as you can get (7) |
| FRIEND | "To see her is a Picture, to hear her is a Tune, to know her an intemperance as innocent as June, to know her not, affliction. To own her for a ___, a warmth as near as if the Sun were shining in your |
| CYMBAL | Musical instrument which, as a pair, would form a hi-hat |
| CANOE | Boat which, as a dugout, may be called a pirogue |
| ARDEN | Forest in which As You Like It is set (5) |
| MYOPIA | Which eye condition is also known as near-sightedness (6) |
| SKIN | One's protective dermal suit of armour which, as the body's largest organ, synthesises vitamin D from solar light, provides sensations, including goosebumps during fight or flight, and is a tattooist |
| CHASM | In which, as much of a great split was revealed (5) |
| DONEC | Up to the time at which, as long as, until: dum (5) |
| DEFAMATION | Slander spread by a foe, damn it! (10) |
| BLAST | A loud blare, damn it! (5) |
| APPROACH | Draw near - as a train would at a station (8) |
