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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Relevance

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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
Both games ended 5-4 in a shootout — Dallas won in Denver in mid-October, while Colorado won in North Texas earlier this month on trade deadline day. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026 As a key element of its size reduction, the airline has been shrinking its fleet of Airbus jetliners, selling some but mostly ending lease agreements on others. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
By end of day my skin still looks like skin, with no flakes and minimal buildup. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026 And in the end the words of that team’s manager would resonate, and echo. —Greg Cote updated March 17, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026 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
  • From Wednesday on, the real heat wave begins to take a foothold with highs for many areas getting up into the 80s to finish the week.
    — Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The Avs finished the first period down two goals but up 17-7 on the shot clock.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of finish
Verb
  • Leave the resort to dine at Sunset Mona Lisa, a neighboring cliffside terrace where Mediterranean-leaning plates play second fiddle to the show-stopping tangerine-pink sunsets.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Pavel Zacha had both goals for Boston, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 28 shots.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Some questions may be adapted into full columns, and transcripts of the chats remain available after each session concludes.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Federal investigators said their review uncovered broader violations, concluding the district also allowed male students to access female-only facilities and compete on girls teams.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • Twenty-three immigrants have already died in custody in the current fiscal year, putting it on pace to surpass the previous one, which had the highest number of deaths in immigration detention in decades.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
  • He was transported to a nearby hospital and died from his injuries on March 10, officials said.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of die
Noun
  • However the film lands a poignant and lyrical ending that sends the audience out on a note of hope.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Beginning early Saturday morning and ending, hopefully, before midnight, Anderson was walking a 50-mile circuit of his own design through the entire city of San Francisco.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of ending
Noun
  • Blume made growing up less alienating for her readers, but there were limits to her project of destigmatization.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Do note there is a 50-pound weight limit and a non-refundable pet fee per stay of $150.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of limit
Noun
  • Socrates’ reply to Glaucon was complicated, taking up the whole remainder of this lengthy dialogue.
    — Paul Rosenzweig, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Winner will serve remainder of term Whoever wins will fill the remainder of Hancock's term, which expires at the end of the year.
    — Jack Fink, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of remainder
Noun
  • The goal here is to teach practices to provide deep relaxation of the mind.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Senior forward Jordyn Washington scored 28 goals last year.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
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 21 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on end

Nglish: Translation of end for Spanish Speakers

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