COMPLETE Synonyms: 390 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'complete' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complete are close , conclude , end , finish , and terminate . While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," 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

Q: Where would 'close' be a reasonable alternative to 'complete'?

The meanings of close and complete largely overlap; however, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. // close a debate

Q: In what contexts can 'conclude' take the place of 'complete'?

While the synonyms conclude and complete are close in meaning, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). // the service concluded with a blessing

Q: When could 'end' be used to replace 'complete'?

Although the words end and complete have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality. // ended his life

Q: When might 'finish' be a better fit than 'complete'?

The words finish and complete can be used in similar contexts, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. // after it is painted, the house will be finished

Q: When would 'terminate' be a good substitute for 'complete'?

In some situations, the words terminate and complete are roughly equivalent. However, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. // your employment terminates after three months

complete 1 of 2

verb

Definition of complete

as in to finish

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done managed to complete the assignment with time to spare

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to complement

to serve as a completing element to the bird's beautiful song simply completes its appeal for pet owners

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as in to end

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point the well-attended concert completed a great weekend of arts and entertainment events

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of no payments will be made until the contract is completed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

complete

2 of 2

adjective

kəm-ˈplēt

as in entire

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it a complete deck of cards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in finished

brought or having come to an end your education is never complete—there's always something more to learn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in comprehensive

covering everything or all important points will present complete coverage of the tennis tournament

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions he's a complete genius

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in thorough

trying all possibilities a complete search of the computer file

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor a riding school that will teach you all skills required of the complete equestrian

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb complete differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complete are close, conclude, end, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," 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

Where would close be a reasonable alternative to complete?

The meanings of close and complete largely overlap; however, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

In what contexts can conclude take the place of complete?

While the synonyms conclude and complete are close in meaning, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When could end be used to replace complete?

Although the words end and complete have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might finish be a better fit than complete?

The words finish and complete can be used in similar contexts, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When would terminate be a good substitute for complete?

In some situations, the words terminate and complete are roughly equivalent. 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 complete

Verb

More than 213 women have completed the program, according to Barred Business. — Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 And in 2025, while 55% of third graders in Marlin schools were reading at grade level, just 40% were completing math questions at grade level. — Daniel H. Robinson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Phrased as if for a story that would never be written, this jotting, complete in itself, conjures an eerie world in which violence toward one person reverberates through other people in other places, leaving human bodies mysteriously linked. — Robert S. Levine, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 The two nearly complete skeletons that serve as the foundation for the new research date to the Late Triassic period nearly 237 million years ago. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete

Verb

All broadcast pairings eventually end, but for Troy Aikman and Joe Buck to finish like this is both needless, and dirty.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
The results were better on Monday, as the Heat’s starting unit finished as a plus-three in 12 minutes together.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of finish

Verb

Letter writer second-guesses history of avoidant behavior after one phone argument ends a decades-long friendship.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
In a shocking upset, a student movement resoundingly beat longtime Serbian leader President Aleksandar Vucic, ending his time in power after 14 years.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of end

Verb

Some of the weapons from American manufacturers purchased during the Biden administration are still flowing to Ukraine, but many of those contracts have been fulfilled.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
As a result, critics have likened Achilles to a carpetbagger, and called him a political opportunist who failed to fulfill his commitment to voters.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Adjective

Charlotte was down by 35 points after three quarters, and the entire fourth quarter amounted to garbage time.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
One of them is José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, who applied for citizenship in October 2025 after living in the country for 40 years and spending his entire adult life as a legal permanent resident.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of entire

Adjective

The yeast and bacteria in the starter don’t survive baking in meaningful numbers, so the finished bread doesn’t deliver live cultures to your gut.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
The Horned Frogs also captured the Big 12 regular-season title and finished runner-up in the Big 12 Tournament.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of finished

Adjective

In addition to this, more comprehensive work looking into how natto appears to improve bone health has made this avenue of research particularly interesting.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
This made the discovery more comprehensive, but almost made clear that the flaw was more serious than Calif had originally realized, an OpenAI spokesperson told Fortune.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of comprehensive

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“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of complete

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