COMPLETE Synonyms: 390 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'complete' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complete are close , conclude , end , finish , and terminate . While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken. // the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

Q: Where would 'close' be a reasonable alternative to 'complete'?

The meanings of close and complete largely overlap; however, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. // close a debate

Q: In what contexts can 'conclude' take the place of 'complete'?

While the synonyms conclude and complete are close in meaning, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). // the service concluded with a blessing

Q: When could 'end' be used to replace 'complete'?

Although the words end and complete have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality. // ended his life

Q: When might 'finish' be a better fit than 'complete'?

The words finish and complete can be used in similar contexts, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. // after it is painted, the house will be finished

Q: When would 'terminate' be a good substitute for 'complete'?

In some situations, the words terminate and complete are roughly equivalent. However, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. // your employment terminates after three months

complete 1 of 2

verb

Definition of complete

as in to finish

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done managed to complete the assignment with time to spare

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to complement

to serve as a completing element to the bird's beautiful song simply completes its appeal for pet owners

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as in to end

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point the well-attended concert completed a great weekend of arts and entertainment events

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of no payments will be made until the contract is completed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

complete

2 of 2

adjective

kəm-ˈplēt

as in entire

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it a complete deck of cards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in finished

brought or having come to an end your education is never complete—there's always something more to learn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in comprehensive

covering everything or all important points will present complete coverage of the tennis tournament

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions he's a complete genius

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in thorough

trying all possibilities a complete search of the computer file

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor a riding school that will teach you all skills required of the complete equestrian

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb complete differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complete are close, conclude, end, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken.

the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

Where would close be a reasonable alternative to complete?

The meanings of close and complete largely overlap; however, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

In what contexts can conclude take the place of complete?

While the synonyms conclude and complete are close in meaning, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When could end be used to replace complete?

Although the words end and complete have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might finish be a better fit than complete?

The words finish and complete can be used in similar contexts, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When would terminate be a good substitute for complete?

In some situations, the words terminate and complete are roughly equivalent. However, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of complete

Verb

The work can largely be completed only during the summer, when school buildings are vacant. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Post-production sound work and score recording were completed at a Phnom Penh facility, Kongchak Studio. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Window2Soul feels like a love letter to yourself, with damask rose, bright lemon, jasmine, and warm tonka bean for a complete aura boost. — Allure Editors, Allure, 31 Aug. 2026 After a run like this one, that is a complete reset to neutral. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete

Verb

Van Gisbergen, the road-course ace with seven victories the past two seasons, finished 28th.

— Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Murphy was a diminutive, formal woman of Irish birth who never finished grade school but had a great appetite for learning.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of finish

Verb

Supplements should complement a healthy diet, not replace it.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 31 Aug. 2026
The new mission will extend the vision of NASA’s other famous observatories, providing a field of view 100 times wider than the Hubble Space Telescope and complementing the groundbreaking work of the James Webb Space Telescope.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of complement

Verb

However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Amid a scorching stretch, Bregman ends the month with his lifetime total now sitting at two.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of end

Verb

During the holidays, that could mean repositioning inventory as demand shifts, identifying supplier or transportation delays sooner, or dynamically finding the fastest and most cost-effective way to fulfill an order when conditions change.

— Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Rather than chasing virality and social media hits, Obeid advises restaurants to focus deeper on creating businesses that fulfill a need for the community around them.

— Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Adjective

Therefore, analysts note that if extreme weather worsens water and power scarcity, the impact could ripple through the entire semiconductor supply chain.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Still, there’s a kind of hip, comfort food aspect to the entire enterprise that keeps it an easy, if slightly cluttered and overlong watch.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of entire

Adjective

During China’s first export boom, Chinese factories often imported parts, assembled the finished product and shipped it abroad.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The finished drinking water will travel south through another underground tunnel around the west side of O’Hare International Airport, where it will be distributed to seven northwest Cook suburbs, including Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates, May said.

— Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of finished

Adjective

The town is now essentially a real-world study for scientists, after comprehensive data was gathered over a year back in 2007.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Problems with standardized assessments The most comprehensive measure of adult literacy levels is the Survey of Adult Skills, which is part of a larger international assessment known as the PIAAC.

— Jennifer D. Kobrin, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of comprehensive

Adjective

This Ninth — featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and four superb vocal soloists (Saioa Hernández, Tamara Mumford, David Portillo and Ryan Speedo Green) — became Beethoven, alive in the moment, an instrument of utter joy.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Sweet, aromatic, and bubblegum pink, this playful cocktail is the utter definition of fun.

— Bradleigh Mobley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of utter

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“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of complete

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