end 1 of 2

verb

Definition of endnext
1
as in to finish
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point let's end the meeting with a short prayer

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2
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end unfortunately, an argument ended their date, and they're still not speaking to each other

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3
as in to conclude
to come to an end a book so good that you hate to see it end

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4
as in to die
to stop living a great general, who ended on the field of battle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

end

2 of 2

noun

ˈend How to pronounce end (audio)
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity the end of hostilities brought general rejoicing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go I'm at the end of my patience with these little brats

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3
as in remainder
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

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4
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish in this case the ends definitely do not justify the means

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5
as in tip
the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow a child's pair of scissors with blunt ends

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6
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action the war wasn't yet over, but we were definitely at the beginning of the end

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7
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something the ends of his shirt cuffs were badly frayed

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8
as in demise
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

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9
as in portion
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group keep up your end of the bargain

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Synonym Chooser

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

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 end
Verb
To end last season, Kaiser had his best string of NHL games since turning pro in 2023. —Scott Powers, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2025 Small accents here and there help transition to Halloween for October without needing to completely redecorate once the holiday ends. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
The 14th version, launched in 2021, wraps up at the end of this year, with the 15th starting next year. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025 Chief among those hurdles this year, Eskelund said, is a wavering Chinese economy that has struggled to mount a robust rebound since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for end
Recent Examples of Synonyms for end
  1. finish
  2. stop
  3. conclude
  4. die
  5. ending
  6. limit
  7. remainder
  8. goal
Verb
  • After recording the second out of the inning, the right-hander was unable to finish the frame.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Both judges advised Elaine to finish her movements completely.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of finish
Verb
  • The defense for Texas has held up its end of the bargain, stopping the run well, allowing one of the lowest rushing yard totals per game in the country.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Central finally stopped the bleeding late in the half on a TD pass from Smith to Jeremiah Mateo Mora.
    — Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Michigan Court of Appeals concluded that the MPSC appropriately examined the location of the Line 5 replacement segment within the Great Lakes Tunnel, consistent with Michigan law.
    — Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • This week, a UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
    — Mandalit del Barco, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • Josh Jung’s two-out swinging bunt died on the infield near the third-base line and plated Joc Pederson, who had opened the frame with a ground-rule double and advanced to third on Adolis Garcia’s groundout.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Unlike most mass shooters who expect to die during their attacks, an expert tells Fox News Digital that Robinson devised escape routes and left behind a detailed digital trail.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of die
Noun
  • Naturally, the Chargers' medical staff will check things out, but this could be season-ending for the Los Angeles running back.
    — James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
  • As summertime comes to a close, the autumnal equinox reminds us that every ending is also the beginning of something new.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Definition of ending
Noun
  • By turning a blind eye to scalpers, even giving them the tools to bypass limits and harvest tickets, Live Nation has acted as the promoter, the primary ticket seller, the artists’ manager, and the scalper.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The team successfully demonstrated quantum squeezing of the motion of a nanoscale particle, a motion whose uncertainty is smaller than the quantum mechanical fluctuations usually considered the ultimate limit.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of limit
Noun
  • One of the most effective vehicles for accomplishing all of this is a charitable remainder annuity trust, known as a CRAT.
    — Andre Pennington, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • The prediction of an above-average remainder of the season is based on a combination of factors, including warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Seas, and an active West African Monsoon.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of remainder
Noun
  • The primary goal of these UBI pilots is to help individuals and families through a transition period.
    — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Success comes from choosing intentionally based on individual goals, financial circumstances, and career objectives rather than following outdated assumptions about what career preparation requires.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of goal

Phrases Containing end

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encysts
end
endamage
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Cite this Entry

“End.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/end. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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