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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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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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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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
Strategically, Hamas has sought all along to use the hostages as a bargaining chip to constrain Israel and force it to end the war—and thereby guarantee Hamas’s own survival. —Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025 In between plays, Waddle and former University of Alabama teammate Tua Tagovailoa were talking it up on the sidelines — laughing and chatting as the air horn blew, ending the day. —Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Noun
The uplift, announced earlier this year, is set to be reached by the end of the next parliament in 2034, but is dependent on economic conditions. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 2 June 2025 By the end of the nineteenth century, Green-Wood was said to be the second most popular tourist attraction in New York State, after Niagara Falls. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 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
  • If one or more teams are level at the end of the group stage, their finishing position will be determined by points obtained in the matches between the sides in question, not goal difference, like at the World Cup.
    — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Despite splitting time with Cooper McDonald, Deal finished tied for fifth in sacks in the league with 5.5.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025
Definition of finish
Verb
  • On September 2, Border Force officers had stopped two women at London Stansted Airport.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • When the car stopped at a train crossing near Samuels Avenue and Northeast 23rd Street, Castilleja removed a folding knife from his sweatshirt pocket and stabbed his father once in the right side of the neck, according to the affidavit.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Bowling Green concludes the regular season November 25 at UMass, the team’s only trip outside the region, though like the other 11 games is in the Eastern Time Zone.
    — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • The Hurricanes conclude the 2025 season with a 35-27 overall record, including a 15-14 record in Atlantic Coast Conference play, and reached their first Super Regional since 2016.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • The filming of his funeral took three full days, and Hogestyn died the following weekend.
    — Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • Sly Stone, a funk pioneer whose influence and impact as leader of the musical group Sly and the Family Stone was as enduring as his career was brief, died Monday in Los Angeles.
    — Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Definition of die
Noun
  • On a more emotional level, the anticlimactic ending ushered in the conclusion of a 46-year career for coach Bob Babb.
    — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 31 May 2025
  • The follow-up comment, which has received more than 200,000 likes, spurred debate over the new version’s ending, in which Nani (played by Sydney Elizebeth Agudong) moves to California for college and agrees to give up Lilo (Maia Kealoha) to the state, with the girl being raised by a neighbor.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Definition of ending
Noun
  • Policymakers should at minimum hold the line and retain the current SALT $10,000 deduction limit.
    — Garrett Watson, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025
  • Some countries impose strict limits, such as a maximum of 10 children per donor.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of limit
Noun
  • From there, players stick to Abby's perspective for nearly the entire remainder of the game.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Another gift that generates regular income is the charitable remainder trust.
    — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of remainder
Noun
  • But Bennett’s goal would not keep the Panthers ahead for long.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • There is not any goal that can justify continuing the military operation at the risk of losing the hostages, at the risk of losing the lives of Israeli soldiers, and the risk of losing the lives of many of the non-involved people in Gaza.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
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 16 Jun. 2025.

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