thorough

adjective

thor·ough | \ˈthər-(ˌ)ō,

sometimes ˈthȯr-;ˈthə-(ˌ)rō\

Definition of thorough

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : carried through to completion : exhaustive a thorough search

2a : marked by full detail a thorough description

b : careful about detail : painstaking a thorough scholar

c : complete in all respects thorough pleasure

d : having full mastery (as of an art) a thorough musician

thorough

preposition

Definition of thorough (Entry 2 of 3)

archaic

: through

thorough

adverb

Definition of thorough (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic

: through

Other Words from thorough Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about thorough

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Examples of thorough in a Sentence

Adjective

… one realized that it was the restaurant's thorough and even comic Frenchness that had made it so entirely New York. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2004 Bruce tells me to squat down and Koani sidles up, ears flattened, tail tucked away, and gives my face a thorough licking. — Nicholas Evans, Daily Telegraph, 26 Sept. 1998 The job was uncharacteristically thorough for a Russian contract killing—three different types of bullets riddled Mikho's body. — New Republic, 15 Dec. 1997 … as I look into their black faces, their hope is so thorough and consuming it frightens me. — Bob Shacochis, Harper's, February 1995 a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations The investigator will have to be thorough.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Your contacts need to fit your eyes properly, which is why your doctor does a thorough examination of your eyes before writing your contact lens prescription. — Korin Miller, SELF, "7 Things That Can Cause Irritated, Scratchy Eyes," 29 June 2018 Beginning on July 1, the Mandel Jewish Community Center in Palm Beach Gardens will be converting its fitness center to a group exercise studio after a thorough assessment of its facility usage and community needs. — Marvin Glassman, Jewish Journal, "JCC summer programming changing with the times," 6 June 2018 Under the direction of Rev. Torgersen, Subbarow made a thorough study of Christian theology including the writings of Nels Ferre and Reinhold Niebuhr. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "We Are Scientists," 5 June 2018 The parliamentary members asked thorough, multi-part questions about Facebook’s policies and global operations. — Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, "Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Sails Through E.U. Parliament Grilling," 22 May 2018 In an effort to ensure that an error of this magnitude never happens again, and because this sounds like the right thing to say, GQ will be conducting a thorough internal audit of our cover-development process. — The Editors Of Gq, GQ, "GQ’s 2018 Comedy Issue Cover Stars Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, and Sarah Silverman," 17 May 2018 Hatchett said the board hadn’t yet decided whether to do the more thorough check for all finalists. — Sarah Freishtat, Aurora Beacon-News, "East Aurora moves to beef up background checks on superintendent candidates," 8 May 2018 Tyner said Milwaukee and Wisconsin are key markets for Gannett, and a search for a successor for Stegman will be thorough. — Paul Gores, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stegman promoted to national position at Gannett," 30 Apr. 2018 As one of the few veteran players retained by Orlando City after a thorough roster rebuild, center back Jonathan Spector has an understanding of the club that comes from experience. — Jordan Culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Jonathan Spector named Orlando City captain, five players to miss opener," 28 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thorough.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.