entire 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈtī(-ə)r How to pronounce entire (audio)
Definition of entirenext
1
as in all
not divided or scattered among several areas of interest or concern this matter is important, so please give me your entire attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whole
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it the entire team needs to be present for the photograph

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

entire

2 of 2

adverb

as in completely
to a full extent or degree a shocking revelation that would destroy entire the false little world that she had carefully constructed for herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word entire distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of entire are all, total, and whole. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

How is all related to other words for entire?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could total be used to replace entire?

The synonyms total and entire are sometimes interchangeable, but total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

Where would whole be a reasonable alternative to entire?

The meanings of whole and entire largely overlap; however, whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

How is the word entire distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of entire are all, total, and whole. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

How is all related to other words for entire?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could total be used to replace entire?

The synonyms total and entire are sometimes interchangeable, but total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

Where would whole be a reasonable alternative to entire?

The meanings of whole and entire largely overlap; however, whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

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 entire
Adjective
Bigger and bolder, this year’s second line will kick off the entire festival on Opening Night. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026 That foam lines the entire interior of the boot, adding warmth. —Lisa Jhung, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026 Now, the Roomba can map your entire home in just one pass. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 Use a drop spreader to broadcast the seed across the entire planting area. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
  1. all
  2. whole
  3. completely
  4. undivided
  5. complete
  6. perfectly
  7. total
  8. fully
Adjective
  • Forward Cearah Parchment and guard Destiny Jackson were named to the all-freshman team.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Three of the four all-tournament picks were underclassmen.
    — Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of all
Adjective
  • That one was definitely for him, the whole year has been for him.
    — Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • And that’s the whole goal for everybody is to grow the game and get more girls in it.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of whole
Adverb
  • Two participants mentioned that their depression had abated completely.
    — Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Across the Eastern Alps, scientists estimate that 30 percent of glaciers could disappear completely by 2030.
    — Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of completely
Adjective
  • Offer it your time and undivided attention.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Several staff members and students also spoke to Allen’s willingness to engage with them personally and give her undivided attention.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of undivided
Adjective
  • For me, no beach vacation is complete without a fun, flirty, little slip tucked into an overstuffed suitcase.
    — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Douse fires with a good amount of water and stir to ensure complete cooling.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of complete
Adverb
  • The two layers of moist, flavorful cake pair perfectly with creamy cream cheese frosting.
    — Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The classic polka dots and square neckline are perfectly on-trend for this season, while the lightweight rayon fabric folds up easily for convenient suitcase storage.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of perfectly
Adjective
  • Gulf countries have cut total oil production by at least 10 million barrels per day due to limited storage space and capacity to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil supply normally flows, according to the IEA.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • California's total vineyard footprint was estimated at 477,475 acres in 2025, according to the California Association of Winegrape Growers, down from about 600,000 acres in recent years, based on earlier state estimates.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of total
Adverb
  • Any residual good will between the Pentagon and Anthropic soon fully deteriorated.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • These strengths rely on a mind that is calm, adaptable and fully online, not one that is hijacked and overwhelmed by cognitive overload.
    — Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of fully

Browse Nearby Words

enticingly
entire
entirely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on entire

Nglish: Translation of entire for Spanish Speakers

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