FINISH Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of finish are close , complete , conclude , end , and terminate . While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. // after it is painted, the house will be finished

Q: When would 'close' be a good substitute for 'finish'?

The words close and finish can be used in similar contexts, but close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. // close a debate

Q: When can 'complete' be used instead of 'finish'?

The synonyms complete and finish are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'conclude' be a reasonable alternative to 'finish'?

The meanings of conclude and finish largely overlap; however, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). // the service concluded with a blessing

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

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

Q: In what contexts can 'terminate' take the place of 'finish'?

The words terminate and finish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. // your employment terminates after three months

finish 1 of 2

verb

ˈfi-nish

Definition of finish

as in to complete

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done we should finish the painting of the house by tomorrow

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to end

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll finish the concert before dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stop

to come to an end the three-day race finished yesterday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

finish

2 of 2

noun

as in ending

the last part of a process or action a pie-eating contest is the fair's traditional finish

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in end

the stopping of a process or activity an all-out fight right to the finish

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb finish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of finish are close, complete, conclude, end, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When would close be a good substitute for finish?

The words close and finish can be used in similar contexts, but close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When can complete be used instead of finish?

The synonyms complete and finish are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 conclude be a reasonable alternative to finish?

The meanings of conclude and finish largely overlap; however, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When could end be used to replace finish?

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

ended his life

In what contexts can terminate take the place of finish?

The words terminate and finish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 finish

Verb

Gronowski finished his first taste of preseason action with a single passing yard. — Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 The Forester is allowed to be a little cheaper in fit and finish by comparison. — New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

Pearls, embellishments and patent finishes are bringing more dimension to familiar silhouettes. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 This time, Miami dominated start to finish, getting back on track heading into next Saturday’s home game against Atlanta United, coached by former Inter Miami coach Tata Martino. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for finish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for finish

Verb

The deal with Porsche will be effective once the Indian software giant completes the acquisition of MHP, which employs around 4,500 people.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Forward Romain Esse had been nearing a move to Club Brugge but that deal has not been completed.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of complete

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

And, there are lots of studies out there that show many in my generation have stopped believing in the promise of the American Dream.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
His government has implemented policies that slow energy permitting and development, canceled billions in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects and spent nearly $4 billion to buy back leases to stop offshore wind projects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stop

Noun

At Mattel, cultural relevance came with a blockbuster ending.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Earlier this summer, speculation regarding Ariana Grande’s weight and body image reached a fever pitch after the singer announced her retreat from public life following the ending of her ongoing tour next week.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ending

Noun

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and the 17 states that sued California over its packaging law aimed at reducing plastic waste filed a request last week for a temporary halt to the rollout of the policy.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Far from transforming the country’s politics, however, this dominance has ground it to a halt.

— Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of halt

Verb

Still, several financial analysts have concluded that the prediction frenzy, with its sleek mobile apps and easy-to-understand odds, are driving the stock drops.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
An autonomous attacker does not care what an organization's SPRS score says, whether its dashboard is green or whether an assessment concluded that a control was implemented.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of conclude

Verb

Costs for consumers in the Affordable Care Act marketplace have soared amid expiring ACA premium subsidies, and insurance affordability poses a political threat to Republicans during upcoming midterm elections.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But on a final attempt to tie the game with time expired, quarterback Cruz James was intercepted by TFA freshman Jaylen Johnson in the end zone to seal TFA’s victory.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of expire

Noun

Despite the lack of outward signs in Ocean Springs, Nolan’s death has come to mean different things to different people and a lack of answers from authorities has left residents drawing their own conclusions about the circumstances of his death.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Trump faces mounting pressure to address high gas prices as the war in Iran on Friday reached a six-month milestone with no conclusion in sight.

— Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of conclusion

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finises

finish

finished

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Style

“Finish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finish. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of finish

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Synonyms of finish

verb

noun

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Cite this Entry

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