Entry Word: end

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the stopping of a process or activity <the end of hostilities brought general rejoicing>

Synonyms cessation, close, closure, conclusion, discontinuance, ending, expiration, finish, halt, lapse, shutdown, shutoff, stop, stoppage, surcease, termination

Related Words abeyance, interruption, moratorium, suspension

Near Antonyms extension, persistence, prolongation

Antonyms continuation

2 a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go <Iʼm at the end of my patience with these little brats> — see limit
3 an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value <a couple of ends of wallpaper were all that was left after we finished papering the room> — see ¹scrap 1
4 something that one hopes or intends to accomplish <in this case the ends definitely do not justify the means> — see goal
5 the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow <a childʼs pair of scissors with blunt ends> — see point 2
6 the last part of a process or action <the war wasnʼt yet over, but we were definitely at the beginning of the end> — see finale
7 the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something <the ends of his shirt cuffs were badly frayed> — see border 1
8 the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities <Henry Hudson and eight others were set adrift in the bay in a small boat, and how they met their end is unknown> — see death 1