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final

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective final contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of final are last, terminal, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When would last be a good substitute for final?

The meanings of last and final largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book
last news we had of him

When is it sensible to use terminal instead of final?

While in some cases nearly identical to final, terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When is ultimate a more appropriate choice than final?

The synonyms ultimate and final are sometimes interchangeable, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

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 final
Adjective
Golf talk was top of mind as guests shared their photos from the tournament and made plans to hit the West Side driving course early the next morning, before catching a helicopter out to the final. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2025 MetLife Stadium in the NY/NJ area will host the final. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
The couple's announcement comes 15 months after Turner's divorce from ex-wife Teresa Nist, who received his final rose on The Golden Bachelor in 2023. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025 The Dragons avenged that defeat in a 56-7 regional final rout of Byron Nelson that same year. Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for final
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
Adjective
  • Supplies are limited, and at this price, codes won’t last long.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Overall, crime in Over-the-Rhine, where thousands of people visit every weekend for dining and nightlife, is up by about 47% compared to last year, according to a city database.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, while vision isn’t their strongest sense, dogs may even be able to see certain aspects of a TV show.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Providing fiber for digestion, there’s fresh broccoli along with antioxidants to help reduce the risk of certain cancers.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The biggest spike occurred during the 1990 World Cup semifinal.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Despite the nature of his exit, this was still an encouraging week for Medvedev, who reached what was only his second semifinal of the year.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As the test was administered, Officer Kelby Dumond sat atop Ross to monitor the horse's every reaction.
    Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Though that number won’t grab headlines, the rushing attack passed the eye test against a Minnesota defense that came into the game second in the Big Ten in yards allowed.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
  • The shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • The fossil chemicals in question are a special types of steranes, which are the geologically stable form of sterols, like cholesterol, that are found in the cell membranes of complex organisms.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Married Matt and Amber Barnett overcame a little bit of jealousy and a lot of credit card debt to cultivate a stable relationship.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Welcome to Path to Playoff, the USA TODAY Sports newsletter covering all things college football and the chase for this year's national championship.
    Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Panthers, seeking to become the first team to win three consecutive Stanley Cups since the New York Islanders won four consecutive championships from 1980-1983, begin the regular season on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Parents navigate uncertainty Wentland is in the final stretch of study preparation for the entrance exam for Alverno's nursing program.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • These include urine tests, a digital rectal exam (DRE), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a prostate biopsy.
    MD Published, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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