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 genius

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

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
An earlier Atlanta project, completed in 1999, offers a preview of what’s in store for Lakewood and many other former schools. —Stacker, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026 The Angels’ third straight thumping by the Dodgers, a 10-1 victory on Sunday afternoon, completing a sweep by a margin of 31-3, was also their third straight sellout of the weekend and ninth in 21 home games, for a team that is now 16-31. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 18 May 2026
Adjective
Designed as a complete portable signal path rather than a basic adapter, the MD3 has dual USB-C ports for attaching to a smartphone and charging at the same time. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 Two years later — to my complete amazement — that idea has become a movement. —Blake Crisses, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026 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
  • Mark Teixeira homered from both sides of the plate and the New York Yankees finished a four-game sweep of Minnesota with a 7-6 victory.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • The council will vote for an interim mayor to finish the remainder of Lyles’ term, which ends in December 2027.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
Definition of finish
Verb
  • The tiered design is complemented by a functional front button placket for easy customization, and the billowy sleeves add movement.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
  • Three sitting rooms are complemented by a further three members’ social spaces for carousing in, concealed behind a subtle screen (here, DJs including Goldierocks make appearances, and mobile snaps are banned; staff politely place a sticker over mobile camera lenses).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Definition of complement
Verb
  • For the week ending May 17, 2026 Here are this week’s Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers for fiction, based on sales in hundreds of independent bookstores nationwide, generously provided by the American Booksellers Association.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • On the morning of April 8th, there was reason to believe that the waiting might end.
    — Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Definition of end
Verb
  • The casual-natured yet sharp staff seem genuinely happy to be working in frigid, off-grid Antarctica, and someone’s always around to fulfill a request, answer questions or engage in organic chit-chat in the main hub.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
  • By nearly all industry metrics, Colbert has fulfilled the job duties he was given — and then some.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 May 2026
Definition of fulfill
Adjective
  • Nonetheless, neither Cubans on the island or outside of the country may be inclined to accept a change in leadership that stops short of ousting the entire regime.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 21 May 2026
  • Those who have ridden it before know Smugglers Run has always been responsive, perhaps too much so as inexperienced gamers could spend the entire attraction crashing the ship.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Definition of entire
Adjective
  • Unusual for a custom maker, Beggars Run produces a sample garment from the majority of its fabrics on offer, giving patrons an in-person look at the finished product.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
  • To Ikko’s credit, the finished product is quite polished.
    — Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Definition of finished
Adjective
  • The Mavericks now begin a comprehensive search for their next head coach, hoping their next candidate is a promising figure with little regard for the spree of bad luck that has encumbered this organization.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
  • Most clinics start with comprehensive evaluations that can include CT, MRI and DXA scans, blood panels, cognitive testing, fitness assessments and genome sequencing.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • While her defensive energy contributed to the team’s depth, a scoreless night highlighted the utter absurdity of the league elevating a backup guard over the most prolific scorer in basketball history, especially on a night when the team was already missing its star center.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
  • The utter disdain Ronny Chieng brought to the piece was delicious.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 May 2026
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 21 May. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of complete for Spanish Speakers

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