thoroughgoing

adjective

ˌthər-ə-ˈgō-iŋ How to pronounce thoroughgoing (audio)
Definition of thoroughgoingnext
1
as in unconditional
having no exceptions or restrictions civil rights advocates are hoping for a thoroughgoing rejection of the proposed bill

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thorough
trying all possibilities a thoroughgoing attempt to solve the puzzle and still no luck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 thoroughgoing Even Iran, a thoroughgoing theocracy, calls itself the Islamic Republic of Iran. — John M. Crisp, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025 At La Follette’s behest, the state legislature enacted a thoroughgoing and efficient reform of these industries. — Time, 16 July 2025 In Jen Silverman’s thoroughgoing adaptation, Tekla is given full voice, and the men are finally held to account. — Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 May 2025 This reckless act of aggravating the situation requires that the armed forces of the DPRK maintain a rapid reaction capability and thoroughgoing war posture. — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for thoroughgoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thoroughgoing
  1. unconditional
  2. thorough
  3. complete
  4. extensive
  5. sheer
  6. comprehensive
  7. utter
  8. pure
Adjective
  • Here, the defining aspect of Benjamin Button’s strange existence is love — lucky, steady, unconditional.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In 2024, Michigan State launched Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program.
    — Mona Hanna, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adjective
  • But their 20-3 loss to the Seahawks (4-3) was so thorough, unsightly and disillusioning as to render the 5-0 run-up to it entirely suspect — especially considering the Chiefs’ thorny schedule ahead.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Under the existing two-step process, competing teams must include thorough engineering and financial details as part of their proposals before NASA selects finalists for further study.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorough
Adjective
  • Ethiopia’s coffee authority is compiling data, but the process is not complete.
    — Damian Zane, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In practice, that can look like AI pulling together updates from ticketing systems, documentation, source control and incident platforms to give teams a more complete view of progress and risk.
    — Joel Burleson-Davis, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of complete
Adjective
  • The certification follows extensive safety assessments, design reviews, and ground testing.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • China has backed its ambitions with extensive reforms that are explicitly meant to strengthen intellectual property protections.
    — Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • The tracks, the engineers, the data, the media attention, the sheer amount of racing—the Formula 1 World Championship consists of twenty-plus races, on five continents, in nine months.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The silhouette was mostly formfitting and streamlined, with emphasis at the hips and waist and a continuation of the contrasting sheer, black fabric running down the column skirt.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sheer
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
Adjective
  • These accusations are utter nonsense, concocted from distortions, half-truths and lies.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The board’s first mission—to pacify and bring lawful governance to Gaza—has been an utter failure.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • In My Own Words is a product of the enchantment and pure yearning Ne-Yo saw as fundamental to R&B.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are crafted to deliver long-lasting, natural fragrance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pure

Browse Nearby Words

thoroughfares
thoroughgoing
thoroughly
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Cite this Entry

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

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