replete

adjective

re·​plete ri-ˈplēt How to pronounce replete (audio)
1
: fully or abundantly provided or filled
a book replete with … delicious detailsWilliam Safire
2
a
: abundantly fed
b
: fat, stout
3
repleteness noun

Did you know?

Given that one of the roots of replete is the Latin verb plēre, meaning "to fill," it isn't surprising that the word has synonyms such as full and complete. Replete, full, and complete all indicate that something contains all that is wanted or needed or possible, but there are also subtle differences between the words. Full implies the presence or inclusion of everything that can be held, contained, or attained ("a full schedule"), while complete applies when all that is needed is present ("a complete picture of the situation"). Replete is the synonym of choice when fullness is accompanied by a sense of satiety.

Choose the Right Synonym for replete

full, complete, plenary, replete mean containing all that is wanted or needed or possible.

full implies the presence or inclusion of everything that is wanted or required by something or that can be held, contained, or attained by it.

a full schedule

complete applies when all that is needed is present.

a complete picture of the situation

plenary adds to complete the implication of fullness without qualification.

given plenary power

replete implies being filled to the brim or to satiety.

replete with delightful details

Examples of replete in a Sentence

The book is replete with photographs. The country's history is replete with stories of people who became successful by working hard.
Recent Examples on the Web The election was replete with allegations of fraud and mismanagement, yet protests like Bucio Borja’s were scant. Danielle MacKey, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024 Her work table is replete with dents, paint splatters and polish drippings. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024 The Royal Oak’s bespoke dial is replete with racing references. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 Finding the best place to buy essays online is challenging, as the current market is replete with reputable academic writing companies fighting for your attention. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 After all, our science fiction is replete with AI beings, many of them tales of artificial intelligence gone horribly wrong. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 The Miami Hurricanes’ receiving room is replete with young talent, and that talent made observers take notice early in Wednesday’s second practice of the spring. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 The collection was replete with feminine, romantic touches like frills and bows, and the beauty followed suit. Lauren Murdoch-Smith, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024 His reply to my review, like his book, is replete with insight. Robert E. Lighthizer, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'replete.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English replet, replete, repleet "filled (with), filled with food or drink, sated, having an excess of humors," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French replet "filled," borrowed from Latin replētus "full (of), fully endowed (with)," from past participle of replēre "to make full again, replenish, restore, fill up, sate," from re- re- + plēre "to fill" — more at full entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of replete was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Replete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replete. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

replete

adjective
re·​plete ri-ˈplēt How to pronounce replete (audio)
1
: fully or well provided or filled
a book replete with illustrations
2
: well fed
repleteness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on replete

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