FINISHING Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

finishing 1 of 3

adjective

as in ending

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Dissimilar Words

finishing

2 of 3

noun

as in stopping

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Dissimilar Words

finishing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of finish

as in completing

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done we should finish the painting of the house by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concluding

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll finish the concert before dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in expiring

to come to an end the three-day race finished yesterday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 finishing

Adjective

The difference between the two fonts comes down to a few finishing strokes. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Dec. 2025 Florists can also properly wrap flowers for safe transport and add finishing touches, such as ribbons and bows, to complete the bouquet. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 13 Apr. 2026 The buyer agreed to take the home fully furnished, purchasing everything from the primary pieces to the smaller finishing details. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026 More finishing ability to complement their distinctive style. — Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 June 2026 The white gown in which Ada will open the show is still receiving finishing touches from young seamstress Christine (Garance Marillier). — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025 This tactical evolution, alongside exceptional finishing quality, underscores a tournament defined by strategic depth. — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Famously, Guerlain likes to say that its clients are always the finishing-touch notes of any fragrance, implying that the Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21‘s molecules will mix and mingle differently on every person. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 Local artists were commissioned to add finishing touches, including Gonçalo Jordão and textile designer Thierry Larche, who collaborated on the property’s own azulejo (ceramic tiles) in the garden area. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Noun

Control boots are built for touch on the ball and clean finishing. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 30 June 2026 And when those chances did lead to a shot, the finishing left a bit to be desired. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 Max Verstappen climbed up the field from his fifth-place grid start to secure second place in his Red Bull - his best finishing result so far this season. — Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 If healthy, Robinson would bring offensive rebounding, rim protection, screening and vertical finishing. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 Frenkie de Jong's midfield prowess, Virgil Van Dijk's defensive abilities, and Cody Gakpo's finishing skills still hold the key for the Dutch. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 Today’s enthusiasm for independent watchmakers, artisanal finishing, and provenance has surprising parallels to the late 18th century. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 3 July 2026 Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie looked like Serie A regulars, Folarin Balogun’s finishing was on song and Gio Reyna put to rest any doubts about his selection by channelling his inner Luka Modric. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Verb

With just four laps remaining, there was every prospect of the race finishing under caution as there wouldn’t be time to reorder the cars and then conduct a restart. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026 Crawford is hoping to work his way up to an affiliate, but finishing this season healthy would be a massive victory in and of itself. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 Marine Le Pen makes her first bid for the presidency, finishing third in the first round with nearly 18% of the vote. — ABC News, 6 July 2026 Sakenis blocked two shots after finishing 11th in Division 1 in blocks per game last season. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026 The Belgian forward escaped behind Ream for the first goal, finishing into an open net on a cross brought about because Ream’s teammates failed to deal with a ball dropping in the box. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Technology stocks led the charge higher, with the Nasdaq Composite finishing up by more than 1% amid a rebound in semiconductor names. — Justina Lee,alex Harring, CNBC, 6 July 2026 Arenas also uncharacteristically struggled finishing at the rim and with his shot selection, two skills that previously were seen as strengths. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Rather than finishing the ambitious project, Rinsch gambled much of the money in the cryptocurrency market before spending millions more on luxury purchases. — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for finishing

Adjective

During the post-closing ceremony panel, the jury president showed a sense of humor when discussing the challenges of serving as the leading member of the voting committee for a prestigious film festival, like being away from the phones all morning.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 23 May 2026
This is covered in a standard inspection, often called a pre-drywall or pre-closing inspection.

— Ryan Brennan May 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026

Definition of closing

Noun

Both South American powerhouses have started the tournament strongly and will take some stopping, certainly in the case of Argentina who are once again being pushed forward by Lionel Messi.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 29 June 2026
Complaint, too often, is a stopping point.

— James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

With ultra-slim Republican margins in the House and Senate, lawmakers are having a tough time completing the basics of legislating, let alone passing any controversial bills.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Based on current trends, Swift will fall below an altitude of 300 kilometers (186 miles) in October, when its orbit will be too low for Link to have a decent shot at completing the rendezvous due to increasing atmospheric drag.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Definition of completing

Verb

In its latest half-year earnings, published May 21, EasyJet reported a pre-tax loss of £552 million for the six months ending March 31, despite a 12% jump in half-year revenues to £4 billion, warning of price rises and slower bookings.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Efraín Juárez, then the coach of Pumas, was asked about the possibility of his team ending a long title drought.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

To complete this daunting task, Cruise's character Tom Hunt sported special suction gloves in order to reach the 130th floor of the 2,722-foot skyscraper before rappelling down and concluding with a giant leap of faith.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
IndyCar legend Scott Dixon will depart Chip Ganassi Racing at the end of the 2026 season, concluding a monumental 24-year partnership that brought 59 wins and six championships.

— Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of concluding

Adjective

Taylor, now in his 16th season out of Virginia Tech, is the only quarterback in NFL history with 10,000-plus passing yards, 2,000-plus rushing yards, 70-plus passing TDs, 20-plus rushing TDs and fewer than 35 interceptions.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
The two groups aren’t just growing at different speeds—they’re moving apart with every passing year, and the absolute distance between them grows faster as both numbers get larger.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Definition of passing

Noun

To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2026
Increasingly, however, many are embracing a different definition—one that includes rest, healing, preventative care, joy, and self-investment.

— Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of rest

Verb

With her 180-day mandate as interim president expiring, Rodríguez insists search-and-rescue operations remain active, dismissing residents’ accounts of delays and equipment shortages.

— Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Decodo’s data found discounts arriving as fast as 15 minutes after abandonment, with most offers expiring within 24 to 72 hours.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 July 2026

Definition of expiring

Cite this Entry

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“Finishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finishing. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of finishing

adjective

noun

verb

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