complete 1 of 2

verb

Definition of completenext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complement
to serve as a completing element to the bird's beautiful song simply completes its appeal for pet owners

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
4
as in to fulfill
to do what is required by the terms of no payments will be made until the contract is completed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

complete

2 of 2

adjective

kəm-ˈplēt How to pronounce complete (audio)
1
as in entire
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it a complete deck of cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in comprehensive
covering everything or all important points will present complete coverage of the tennis tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions he's a complete lunatic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in thorough
trying all possibilities a complete search of the computer file

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Try This Instead

For
Try This
complete information
detailed information
true information
correct information
comprehensive information
full information
complete understanding
perfect understanding
full understanding
absolute understanding
sufficient understanding
total understanding
complete coverage
total coverage
full coverage
enough coverage
excellent coverage
over-all coverage
a complete list
a detailed list
an extensive list
an exhaustive list
a definitive list
a conclusive list
complete lack
total lack

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
During a nearly six-year Navy stint, Williams completed the rigorous Naval Nuclear Power School and served aboard the USS Georgia missile submarine. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 After months of filming and editing, the 62-minute documentary was completed at the end of 2024. —Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
While there, riders enter a recreation of the Ministry's iconic atrium, surrounded by offices and glistening green walls, and complete with a full-scale replica of the Fountain of Magical Brethren seen in the movies. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025 There's a private treatment room, complete with twin massage beds, a sauna and a steam room. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete
  1. finish
  2. complement
  3. end
  4. fulfill
  5. entire
  6. finished
  7. comprehensive
  8. utter
Verb
  • There is one about Diego Maradona recovering from a training session at Napoli by opening, and quickly finishing, a bottle of champagne.
    — Rory Smith, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • After posting a 21st-place average finish over 252 races driving for Front Row, McDowell is 15th in the Cup Series standings entering Darlington.
    — Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of finish
Verb
  • Meanwhile, corporations must invest in skills that complement AI, such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
    — Piyachart Isarabhakdee, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Beyond the grill, sushi remains a key element, with a dedicated section that complements the meat selection.
    — Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of complement
Verb
  • The Senate has changed the rules of filibustering several times over the decades, like reducing the number of votes required for cloture in 1975 and allowing a simple majority to end debate on nominations in the 2010s.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Pinch hitter Gavin Lux followed with a walk, but two straight flyouts ended that threat.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of end
Verb
  • The story of this ranch dates to 1985 when Jim Kouf set out to fulfill a childhood promise to himself.
    — Ethan Stone, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Reaching out and connecting with another person fulfills a basic human need for belonging and validation.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of fulfill
Adjective
  • The brand even dedicated an entire collection to them: The Secret Garden, where gourmand and floral elements intertwine.
    — Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Elon Musk proclaims 'the entire destiny of humanity' rests on Wisconsin court election GOP jitters?
    — Daniel Wiessner, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of entire
Adjective
  • The Chinese market is also home to an extensive IT supply chain that can easily source more workers while routing raw materials and components and converting them into finished goods for shipment to world markets.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But there's a hidden truth that most AI app development platforms mask: What looks like a finished product is actually just the beginning.
    — Josh Haas, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of finished
Adjective
  • This comprehensive approach has led to a stronger core of internal talent at Aflac. Data and AI as Business Drivers Aflac has long been a pioneer in artificial intelligence, implementing solutions to improve claims quality and auto-adjudicate lower-risk claims.
    — Peter High, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Without a comprehensive impact study on the risks of displacement, this project cannot be responsibly approved.
    — Aimee Rosato, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • And if left untamed, could result in the utter failure of human civilization.
    — Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Also surprising was the utter lack of any dancing during the 10-minute Dance of the Seven Veils orchestral piece (at least at Friday’s performance).
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of utter

Browse Nearby Words

complements
complete
completed
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Cite this Entry

“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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