as in deficient
lacking some necessary part
an incomplete puzzle that has several pieces missing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 incomplete
What other cities can learn from Pittsburgh Pittsburgh’s transformation is incomplete, and ongoing.
—
Christopher Briem, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
The podcast aesthetic—casual, long-winded, sometimes profane—directly opposes, perhaps not coincidentally, the sterility and bizarre right-this-minute quality of cable news, on which everything seems incomplete and therefore manipulative, and yet somehow endless.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
In early March, authorities in Tucuman handed over the incomplete remains of Ramos and Cerrotta to their families.
—Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
At this stage, governments scramble with incomplete information to manage a surging case load, suffering, and death.
—David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incomplete
Christopher Briem, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
The podcast aesthetic—casual, long-winded, sometimes profane—directly opposes, perhaps not coincidentally, the sterility and bizarre right-this-minute quality of cable news, on which everything seems incomplete and therefore manipulative, and yet somehow endless.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
In early March, authorities in Tucuman handed over the incomplete remains of Ramos and Cerrotta to their families.
—Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
At this stage, governments scramble with incomplete information to manage a surging case load, suffering, and death.
—David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incomplete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incomplete
Adjective
-
Most were sterilized because they were believed to be mentally ill or mentally deficient.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, 18% of postmenopausal women are deficient in vitamin B12, a 2025 study published in the Indian Menopause Society’s Journal of Mid-Life Health found.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The partial shutdown of the Bay Bridge on Wednesday evening was due to a car chase, San Francisco police said.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators also reported discovering a partial bare footprint inside the home, later finding that Oninski’s left foot was stained with what appeared to be blood.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During a strike of couture workers strike, Schiaparelli shows a collection of unfinished garments.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Sultan’s latest posthumous collection shifts the focus to the artist’s mostly unpublished writings, which include his musings on teaching and art, unfinished short stories, dream logs, and essays.—
Vanity Fair,
Vanity Fair,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
25 Feb. 2026
-
As a result, museums around the world hold remarkable artifacts whose backstories are thin, fragmentary or missing altogether.—
Carlo Rindi Nuzzolo,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The plume is made of three things: (1) steam - a lot of it; (2) ash - fine, fragmental pieces of silicate glass, not stuff from your backyard BBQ (which is burned carbon); (3) volcanic gases like CO2, SO2, H2S and others.—
Erik Klemetti,
Discover Magazine,
22 May 2011
-
This would generate a cloud of hot gases and fragmental volcanic material, which could then move downslope gravitationally.—
Erik Klemetti,
WIRED,
12 Apr. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Incomplete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incomplete. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
