final 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfī-nᵊl How to pronounce final (audio)
Definition of finalnext
1
as in last
following all others of the same kind in order or time this will be my final order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in certain
having been established and usually not subject to change the wedding date is final

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

final

2 of 2

noun

1
as in semifinal

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in test

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective final contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of final are last, terminal, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When would last be a good substitute for final?

The meanings of last and final largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book
last news we had of him

When is it sensible to use terminal instead of final?

While in some cases nearly identical to final, terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When is ultimate a more appropriate choice than final?

The synonyms ultimate and final are sometimes interchangeable, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

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 final
Adjective
Despite his final appearance in the main series ending in 1987, Doctor 7 appeared in the 1996 TV film, handing over the reigns to Paul McGann. 7. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 May 2025 Looking ahead in the final days South Korea’s election law bans the release of public poll results during the six days leading up to an election. —Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
Noun
Throw in the development of Harley on defense, and the Stars are built for this run to advance beyond the Western Conference finals. —Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2025 More takeaways from Dallas as the Stars await a conference finals rematch. —Sam Settleman, New York Times, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for final
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
  1. last
  2. certain
  3. semifinal
  4. test
  5. latest
  6. stable
  7. championship
  8. exam
Adjective
  • If one looks at government yields since the end of last year, a different picture emerges.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Peso Pluma returned after an abrupt cancellation last year due to weather conditions, and Shakira delivered a two-hour set that concluded with a fireworks over the city’s skyline.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Definition of last
Adjective
  • The court also ordered the Trump administration to remove the tariffs within 10 days, including a 25% tariff on certain goods from Canada and Mexico.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
  • That could also involve changing the iPhone’s design to accommodate more automation, such as changing how certain components are glued together.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Definition of certain
Noun
  • His draw is complicated with a potential quarterfinal against No. 3 Alexander Zverev, a potential semifinal with No. 1 Jannik Sinner and a possible final vs. defending champ and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Cotton was a two-time all-league pick with South Dakota and also helped the program reach the FCS Playoff semifinals in 2024.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
Definition of semifinal
Noun
  • The test works by measuring proteins beta-amyloid and p-tau217, which are believed to be hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
    — Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 21 May 2025
  • The test cleared by the FDA is likely to attract a much broader audience.
    — Jon Hamilton, NPR, 21 May 2025
Definition of test
Adjective
  • The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
  • The shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    — Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
Definition of latest
Adjective
  • Having stabilized their bank balances and secured pay rises, consumers are now spending in anticipation of a more stable interest rate and price environment, according to the economist.
    — Ganesh Rao,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 May 2025
  • The component loadout is good for the price, with 16GB of RAM making multi-tasking smooth and stable.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 May 2025
Definition of stable
Noun
  • The final two teams then play in a best-of-three series for the national championship.
    — Lauren Merola, New York Times, 26 May 2025
  • Poly will play Warren for the Division 4 championship.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
Definition of championship
Noun
  • The future telescope’s resolution should be high enough to pass a no-glasses eye exam in New York City if the chart of letters were placed in Los Angeles.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 28 May 2025
  • The 19-year-old underwent an exam at a hospital and Gray’s DNA was found on her, according to prosecutors.
    — Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of exam

Browse Nearby Words

finagling
final
finale
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on final

Nglish: Translation of final for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'

And So It Begins: 9 Words for Beginnings
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All