entire 1 of 2

entire

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adverb

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

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
Healthy wolf populations help the entire ecosystem, since wolves manage populations of deer and other prey, causing a ripple effect that can balance the whole food web. Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025 In the wake of the accident, Renner says his entire outlook on life has shifted. Alex Ross, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Any time a bird gets sick, the entire flock is killed to help keep bird flu from spreading. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025 The team’s biggest concerns for 390’s recovery since July has been that the growth bed would be too damaged for the keratin to regrow and that the bone that supports the entire structure of the upper beak may have too much missing and grow back together. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • Also while at Kansas, Townsend has coached 13 NBA Draft lottery selections, more than 30 overall NBA draftees and 70 all-Big 12 Jayhawks.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
  • This touchscreen laptop is big on power, but small in stature thanks to a Ryzen 7 CPU and an all-metal chassis weighing only 3.62 pounds.
    Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In the past half decade, whole strata of this intricate New York support system have been smashed.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But perhaps the whole sequence of events tapped into some wider questions around Alcaraz’s game.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Residents in dozens of other states can put the kids to bed and then give their undivided attention to watching their state legislators at work for their constituents.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Other times, dense prose or consonant heavy character names require undivided attention to maintain reading momentum.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Newsom's office told Fox News Digital that the risk assessment will be complete on June 13, 2025.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • All of the demolition and earthwork is complete, and the structure of the new stand is already being put into place.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Bone collectors will even chew a piece down to fit perfectly amid the other remains.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Robinson’s brand of middle-class psycho surrealism works perfectly in bite-size sketch-comedy doses.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2024, there were 285 total cases nationwide with no deaths reported by the CDC.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The double-digit number of people laid off may be a small fraction of the 10,000 total layoffs at HHS, but the cuts included the person who determines what funds each state receives for the program.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Keep your access fully charged for just $2.50 $1 per month for one year.
    Ben Dowsett, Wired News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • American Oversight originally filed its lawsuit over the use of Signal last month and secured an order requiring the Trump administration to preserve the messages; however, in the weeks since Judge James Boasberg issued his order, multiple Cabinet-levels have been unable to fully save the messages.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the Cavaliers had their full 15-man standard roster available for Game 1.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Can Trump fire Fed Chair Powell? The Federal Reserve is charged with promoting full employment and stable prices.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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