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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word perfect distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of perfect are entire, intact, and whole. While all these words mean "not lacking or faulty in any particular," perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state.

a perfect set of teeth

In what contexts can entire take the place of perfect?

In some situations, the words entire and perfect are roughly equivalent. However, entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing.

the entire Beethoven corpus

When is it sensible to use intact instead of perfect?

While in some cases nearly identical to perfect, intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state.

the boat survived the storm intact

When could whole be used to replace perfect?

While the synonyms whole and perfect are close in meaning, whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained.

felt like a whole person again after vacation

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 perfect
Adjective
Darnold got the ball onto Arizona’s side thanks to a perfect pass to Smith-Njigba for a 22-yard gain. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025 Creating it outside Hamburger Mary’s made perfect sense to him, since that’s where the pop singer saw her first drag show. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Her new cookbook Sally’s Baking 101 is packed with foundation-building recipes she’s perfected over the years—like strawberry oat bars. Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025 The company is also doing extensive testing and comparing data to perfect how its gelcoats cure. Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfect
Adjective
  • That should put you on track to find the ideal laser or ink tank printer for your needs.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
  • That appears to indicate the governing body believes the existing run-offs are not ideal for safety.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Watching everything in release order will give you a nearly complete experience, though hardcore fans may want to check out The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition, which transformed the three films into a 13-episode anime series featuring new music, enhanced visuals, and other fun additions.
    Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Etihad Park is scheduled to open before the 2027 MLS season, and with it a whole bunch of open dates for the team—and the league—to play with.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025
  • By April, after more issues with the program came to light, the sheriff suspended their participation, which halted the whole program.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The duo were especially lethal on Detroit’s top-five power play last season, with Raymond finishing third in points-per-60 and DeBrincat landing 16th in goals-per-60.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Adelita Grijalva, who shares many of the same policy positions as the late congressman, will finish out his term until the 2026 midterms.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In recent years, prebiotic soda brands Poppi, Olipop and others have sparked online conversations about taking care of the microbiome and using diet to improve gut health.
    Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • That has improved with the addition of Clark after being an issue for several years.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Your house and meal don’t need to be flawless to have a memorable evening.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
  • While no system is flawless, cloud storage is generally secure and safer than keeping everything on a single device.
    Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Our first stop on IndyStar's political reporting tour was an absolute ball.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Keep an eye on Bell kicker Grady Matcham, who has been an absolute game-changer for the Blue Raiders this season.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In other words, Chelsea’s payments for Brighton players and other personnel have covered around 29 per cent, almost a third, of the latter’s spend on new signings across the club’s entire history.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Images of the entire geocorona can't be collected from a satellite in Earth orbit.
    Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfect. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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