an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value
a couple of ends of wallpaper were all that was left after we finished papering the room
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities
Henry Hudson and eight others were set adrift in the bay in a small boat, and how they met their end is unknown
How does the verb end differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of end are close, complete, conclude, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," end conveys a strong sense of finality.
ended his life
When might close be a better fit than end?
In some situations, the words close and end are roughly equivalent. However, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.
close a debate
When could complete be used to replace end?
While the synonyms complete and end are close in meaning, 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
When can conclude be used instead of end?
The synonyms conclude and end are sometimes interchangeable, but conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).
the service concluded with a blessing
In what contexts can finish take the place of end?
While in some cases nearly identical to end, finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.
after it is painted, the house will be finished
When is terminate a more appropriate choice than end?
The meanings of terminate and end largely overlap; however, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.
your employment terminates after three months
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of end
Verb
Hence, short-term rates could end the year between 3% and 4.25% as compared to 4.25% to 4.5% currently.—Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles The Orioles ended the 2024 regular season in a 34-38 swoon, then were swept at home by the Kansas City Royals in the wild-card round.—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
Forever 21 will continue to honor gift cards and store credit through the end of the day on Tuesday, April 15.—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 While Texas continues to attract many Americans wishing to relocate within the country, the pace of the state's population growth has slowed down after the end of the pandemic frenzy.—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for end
Has Bacteria-Fighting Properties A study found that ACV helped stop the growth of two harmful bacteria: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli).
—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
7 Apr. 2025
He belly flopped onto the ice in ecstasy and relief before he was mobbed by his teammates, and then the game stopped to celebrate the greatest goal scorer who ever lived.
Iconoclastic critic, art historian, and photographer Max Kozloff, who served as Artforum’s executive editor in the 1970s before turning to his own artistic practice, died on April 6.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2025
The saxophonist in his band also died, according to manager Enrique Paulino.
As previously reported, the actor is set to reprise his role on the offshoot, and this bit of info from Harvey, tying Hardman to Ted’s Big Bad, certainly helps piece together the why and how, as does, possibly, the episode’s ending.
—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
13 Apr. 2025
Drake was also accused of refusing to identify a person who rewrote the ending of the film, and who was not a guild member.
The House had boosted the debt limit by $4 trillion in its plan, but the Senate upped it to $5 trillion to push any further votes on the matter until after next year’s midterm elections.
—
Time,
Time,
5 Apr. 2025
The plan would lift the debt limit To avoid a catastrophic financial default this summer, the Senate plan would raise the U.S. debt limit by $5 trillion.
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