FINAL Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'final' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of final are last , terminal , and ultimate . While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress. // final day of school

Q: When would 'last' be a good substitute for 'final'?

The meanings of last and final largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped. // last page of a book // last news we had of him

Q: When is it sensible to use 'terminal' instead of 'final'?

While in some cases nearly identical to final , terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development. // terminal phase of a disease

Q: When is 'ultimate' a more appropriate choice than 'final'?

The synonyms ultimate and final are sometimes interchangeable, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible. // the ultimate collapse of the system

final 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfī-nᵊl

Definition of final

as in last

following all others of the same kind in order or time this will be my final order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in certain

having been established and usually not subject to change the wedding date is final

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

final

2 of 2

noun

as in semifinal

Related Words

as in test

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective final contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of final are last, terminal, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When would last be a good substitute for final?

The meanings of last and final largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book

last news we had of him

When is it sensible to use terminal instead of final?

While in some cases nearly identical to final, terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When is ultimate a more appropriate choice than final?

The synonyms ultimate and final are sometimes interchangeable, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

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 final

Adjective

Today is excellent for discovering the next clue rather than forcing yourself to produce the final answer. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 After a second consecutive ALDS loss to a division rival, the Yankees decided to bring Boone back next season for the final year of his contract but have not discussed an extension with their longtime manager. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

In the deciding Game 4, Vesia took the baton from Glasnow with two outs and two runners on in the fifth, got the inning’s final out on one pitch and came back out in the sixth. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 The series follows the Canadian team’s historic run to the World Cup final, where they were ultimately toppled by host country England, going down 33-13 in front of a sellout crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham Stadium in South West London. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for final

Recent Examples of Synonyms for final

Adjective

One flight last week leaving from al-Qassim airport north of Riyadh to Geneva, sold for €94,000 ($105,000), compared with a price of about €60,000 ($67,000) before the closure of the main airport in Riyadh.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
As of last week, Moore is calling offensive plays for the Cougars, and the team has also made a change at quarterback.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of last

Adjective

People with the second phenotype, called durable, might have grown up in a predictable world—for example, a strict religious sect or just a family that experienced little change—and developed only certain coping strategies as a result.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Whether the 6-foot-9, 240-pound former Purdue forward actually enters the game is less certain.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of certain

Noun

The Kazakhstan star will face Leylah Fernandez for the title after the Canadian beat Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 in the other semifinal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
The senior forward/midfielder scored his eighth goal of the season, lifting the Warriors to a 2-1 win over Marist in a Class 3A Rich Township Regional semifinal in Richton Park.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of semifinal

Noun

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing one of the most significant electoral tests of his decades-long political career after three years of war, crisis and global outcry over the country's military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

— Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
In a test involving the recognition of symbols, Cortical reports that linking up seven biological computers increased accuracy in results from around 80% to 99%.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of test

Adjective

The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
The American Western drama is the latest of Taylor Sheridan's ever-growing Yellowstone franchise surrounding the legacy of the Dutton family from west of the Mississippi.

— Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Feb. 2023

Definition of latest

Adjective

Taiwan remains the most explosive issue in the relationship—and its very danger is what creates the mutual incentive to keep it stable.

— Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The suspect was listed in stable condition at the hospital, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of stable

Noun

LeBron James got the business from Knicks fans still gloating and riding an emotional high from an NBA championship banner celebration.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
LeBron James played spoiler against the New York Knicks on their championship banner night in his first game of his unprecedented 24th NBA season, but not before getting into a war of words with a fan.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of championship

Noun

But students in more affluent schools, where Asian American students are concentrated, must perform better on the standardized exam to enter the lottery.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Instead, diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation that may include neurological exams, MRI scans and laboratory testing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of exam

Browse Nearby Words

finagling

final

finale

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of final

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes