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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word whole distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of whole are all, entire, and total. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

How is all related to other words for whole?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could entire be used to replace whole?

The words entire and whole are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

When would total be a good substitute for whole?

While in some cases nearly identical to whole, total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

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 whole
Adjective
The whole world still seemed to be at play, with twangy country music wafting down the lane and glowsticked, sugar-high kids running to and fro. Kade Krichko, Outside Online, 29 July 2025 Responses ranged from poignant to hilarious—after all, learning how to take care of a whole new human while still healing physically and emotionally is an experience that often hits both those emotional notes all in the space of a day. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 July 2025
Noun
In fact, on the whole the backup quarterback market might not have been very appealing among players such as Joshua Dobbs (New England), Jacoby Brissett (Arizona) and Mac Jones (San Francisco). Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2025 Still, hope for a different conclusion, as though the telling itself might bind their shape into a whole, as though this time, the story might save me. Literary Hub, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for whole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whole
Adjective
  • Last Sunday, the historically Black all-male college where Hubert was a rising sophomore awarded him a posthumous Bachelor of Arts degree in religion.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 25 May 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • True deficiencies in these nutrients can cause health problems, but such deficiencies are uncommon in otherwise healthy individuals.
    Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Why not spend research money on making drugs that are good for you, that are healthy?
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • See the entire database of restaurant inspections here.
    Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
  • Letscher’s more-than-endearing script runs the entire gamut of emotions without ever feeling manipulative or treacly, and pulls it all off in less than 90 minutes – an incredible feat.
    Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • After years of outreach and investment in contracts with cell phone providers, officials have built a database of roughly 1.6 million numbers, covering about 75% of the capital-area population in total.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • The world champions had a total of 22 goal attempts in the game: nine on target, eight off-target and four blocked, plus that Paredes effort that struck the woodwork.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Her parents are too busy to give her undivided attention, her best friend Vali is starting to hang out more with a classmate who’s often unkind, and her favorite teacher is retiring.
    Caroline Carlson August 1, Literary Hub, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Even five minutes of undivided attention can go a long way.
    Mark Travers, CNBC, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Crockpots are still made well, as are, in my experience anyway, the more modernized version: Instant Pots.
    Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Construction is about 20% complete, and the building is on track to open for the 2026-27 school year, said Lippman, the CEO of Carmen Schools.
    Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Speaking of music: No trip to Memphis is complete without stops at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Sun Studio and Graceland.
    Sal Vaglica, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • This will be a total solar eclipse with an extraordinarily long totality, but only for those in one specific place.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Taken in their totality — State Farm’s sudden, massive rate hike, the lack of transparency and the ongoing lobbying to avoid scrutiny — these events lead us to believe that State Farm may not be basing its rates on the actual data here in Illinois.
    JB Pritzker, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whole. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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