end 1 of 2

verb

Definition of endnext
1
as in to finish
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point let's end the meeting with a short prayer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end unfortunately, an argument ended their date, and they're still not speaking to each other

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to conclude
to come to an end a book so good that you hate to see it end

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to die
to stop living a great general, who ended on the field of battle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

end

2 of 2

noun

ˈend How to pronounce end (audio)
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity the end of hostilities brought general rejoicing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go I'm at the end of my patience with these little brats

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3
as in remainder
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

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4
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish in this case the ends definitely do not justify the means

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5
as in tip
the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow a child's pair of scissors with blunt ends

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6
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action the war wasn't yet over, but we were definitely at the beginning of the end

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7
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something the ends of his shirt cuffs were badly frayed

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8
as in demise
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

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9
as in portion
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group keep up your end of the bargain

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb end differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of end are close, complete, conclude, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might close be a better fit than end?

In some situations, the words close and end are roughly equivalent. However, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When could complete be used to replace end?

While the synonyms complete and end are close in meaning, complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken.

the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

When can conclude be used instead of end?

The synonyms conclude and end are sometimes interchangeable, but conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

In what contexts can finish take the place of end?

While in some cases nearly identical to end, finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When is terminate a more appropriate choice than end?

The meanings of terminate and end largely overlap; however, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

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 end
Verb
But SpaceX ended 2025 on a high note, with its final two Starship launches of the year in August and October being considered inarguable successes. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 13 May 2026 It was then announced earlier this year that Higher Ground would go independent when the first-look deal ends. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 13 May 2026
Noun
Kansas City has seen an increase in nonfatal shootings so far this year, according to Police Department data shared Tuesday, reversing some of the progress city officials highlighted at the end of 2025 when such shootings had fallen sharply. —Ben Wheeler may 12, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026 This is all to say (lovingly) that it’s known to be on the lower end of the price scale. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for end
Recent Examples of Synonyms for end
  1. finish
  2. stop
  3. conclude
  4. die
  5. ending
  6. limit
  7. remainder
  8. goal
Verb
  • Northwestern recruit Nolan Ramoley went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Brother Rice (21-9, 11-2), while Purdue Northwest commit Treylan Webster finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026
  • Denver finished 12-2 that season, reaching its first playoff game since the franchise’s founding.
    — Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Definition of finish
Verb
  • This $20 maxi dress is versatile enough to serve multiple occasions and seasons—and shoppers can’t stop buying multiples of them.
    — Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026
  • Goalkeeper Isabell Ikirt stopped a shot by Oconee County’s Sydney Jackson, prompting celebration by Jefferson, but the Dragons were told Ikirt had come off the line.
    — Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • But on the flip side, some studies conclude that CODAs learn from playing interpreter at a young age to communicate better personally and professionally later in life, and may grow up endowed with special talents for conveying and reading facial expressions and gestures.
    — Bob Brody, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
  • The Supreme Court paved the way for the phenomenon in a series of rulings, concluding that political spending is free speech.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • Another hiker died on the same trail one week earlier after falling down a ravine, though officials haven’t clarified whether injuries or illness caused his death.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • One of the owners told officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that 31 other sloths, from Guyana and Peru, had died — either on the way to the attraction or after arriving and being stored over cold nights in a building with no heat or running water.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Definition of die
Noun
  • That’s a tragic ending that nobody who cares for animals wants to see.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
  • The ending with Raiden and the others is all fans get in terms of a tease for a sequel.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Definition of ending
Noun
  • This was not the most interesting area for tourists, but a nearby subway station can whisk you anywhere around town without the need to sit in traffic (most tickets within the city limits cost less than $1).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
  • Staying within the 90-day limits can be challenging — and fulfilling.
    — Carole Rosenblat, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Definition of limit
Noun
  • Perhaps even a rag-tag group of remainders can put a scare into San Antonio.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
  • The best-case scenario would be for the Lakers’ remainders to extend the best-of-seven series with the Rockets long enough for Doncic and Reaves to rejoin LeBron James in that Big Three, either at the end of this series or the start of the next one.
    — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of remainder
Noun
  • Brown said the goal is to modernize the building.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
  • Their goal was to boost inbound travel, especially among the domestic market, and Nuo specializes in that, although there are plenty of foreign guests here, too.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Definition of goal

Phrases Containing end

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encysts
end
endamage
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Cite this Entry

“End.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/end. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of end for Spanish Speakers

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