The phrase "was close to" is a versatile expression used to describe different levels of proximity to something. However, there are various synonyms one could use to replace this expression, depending on the context. For instance, "nearly" or "almost" could be used to denote a near miss or a close call. "Approaching" or "nearing" could be used to describe one's proximity to a particular destination or milestone. "Contiguous" or "adjacent" could be used to describe an object's proximity to another. Ultimately, the synonym one chooses for "was close to" will depend on the context and the desired nuance that one wishes to convey.