Synonyms of complete

complete 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to finish

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done

managed to complete the assignment with time to spare

Synonyms & Similar Words

• finish
• perfect
• finalize
• consummate
• accomplish
• fulfill
• get through
• polish
• do
• execute
• achieve
• perform
• improve
• effect
• carry out
• better
• enhance
• stick out
• carry through
• follow through (with)
• refine
• amend
• enrich
• machine
• ameliorate
• shine
• discharge
• round (off or out)
• meliorate
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• abandon
• quit
• discontinue
• forsake
• desert

2

as in to complement

to serve as a completing element to

the bird's beautiful song simply completes its appeal for pet owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

• complement
• adorn
• decorate
• enhance
• round (off or out)
• improve
• finish (off)
• better
• flesh (out)
• perfect
• form
• constitute
• make up
• embellish
• beautify
• enrich

3

as in to end

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point

the well-attended concert completed a great weekend of arts and entertainment events

Synonyms & Similar Words

• end
• finish
• conclude
• close
• wind up
• terminate
• round (off or out)
• wrap up
• put paid to
• close out
• perfect
• crown
• ring down the curtain (on)
• consummate
• suspend
• climax
• halt
• stop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• begin
• start
• open
• commence
• inaugurate

4

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of

no payments will be made until the contract is completed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fulfill
• satisfy
• keep
• fill
• meet
• answer
• make good
• comply (with)
• finalize
• redeem
• abide by
• finish
• perfect
• accomplish
• achieve
• execute
• conclude
• carry out
• consummate
• make
• perform
• effect
• bring about
• commit
• discharge
• bring off
• compass
• follow through (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break
• violate
• breach
• forget
• slight
• ignore
• disregard
• transgress
• pass over
• overlook
• neglect
• default (on)
• overpass

complete

2 of 2

adjective

kəm-ˈplēt 

1

as in entire

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it

a complete deck of cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• entire
• whole
• full
• comprehensive
• total
• perfect
• intact
• grand
• integral
• plenary
• extensive
• compleat
• unabridged
• exhaustive
• uncut
• maximal
• undiminished
• full-scale
• full-on
• all-out
• full-blown
• full-fledged
• full-out
• full-bore
• full-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partial
• incomplete
• imperfect
• cut
• reduced
• abbreviated
• diminished
• abridged

2

as in finished

brought or having come to an end

your education is never complete—there's always something more to learn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• finished
• completed
• done
• up
• ended
• through
• over
• down
• terminated
• concluded
• out of the way
• out of hand
• accomplished
• defunct
• realized
• over with
• achieved
• obsolete
• attained
• expired
• extinct
• compassed
• dead
• kaput

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incomplete
• ongoing
• unfinished
• continuing
• uncompleted
• undone

3

as in comprehensive

covering everything or all important points

will present complete coverage of the tennis tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

• comprehensive
• full
• panoramic
• thorough
• extensive
• inclusive
• exhaustive
• global
• encyclopedic
• general
• omnibus
• all-inclusive
• compendious
• universal
• in-depth
• vast
• cyclopedic
• all-embracing
• embracive
• broad
• large
• cover-all
• overall
• broad-gauge
• all-in
• wide
• sweeping
• far
• cosmic
• wide-ranging
• far-reaching
• inclusionary
• catholic
• blanket
• unrestricted
• encyclical
• grand
• indiscriminate
• panoptic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limited
• specialized
• restricted
• narrow
• specific
• exact
• precise
• individual
• incomplete
• circumscribed
• singular
• sketchy
• patchy

4

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions

he's a complete genius

Synonyms & Similar Words

• utter
• unconditional
• total
• simple
• sheer
• absolute
• pure
• definite
• perfect
• outright
• thorough
• very
• damn
• damned
• real
• thoroughgoing
• unmitigated
• profound
• huge
• consummate
• unadulterated
• regular
• endless
• blank
• deadly
• clean
• downright
• categorical
• crashing
• fair
• dreadful
• constant
• unqualified
• plumb
• stark
• genuine
• straight-out
• flat-out
• all-out
• out-and-out
• flat
• rank
• blooming
• arrant
• perpetual
• unalloyed
• authentic
• veritable
• dead
• bodacious
• eternal
• stone
• classic
• horrible
• terrible
• extreme
• main
• unremitting
• unrestricted
• confirmed
• extraordinary
• hopeless
• undying
• supreme
• terrific
• superlative
• habitual
• frightful
• inveterate
• surpassing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• restricted
• questionable
• doubtful
• qualified
• dubious
• equivocal

5

as in thorough

trying all possibilities

a complete search of the computer file

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thorough
• extensive
• comprehensive
• sweeping
• exhaustive
• total
• full-scale
• thoroughgoing
• clean
• systematic
• all-out
• out-and-out
• wide
• general
• broad
• in-depth
• inclusive
• methodical
• wide-ranging
• global
• far-reaching
• no-holds-barred
• unhampered
• unrestrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• random
• haphazard
• aimless
• desultory
• cursory
• limited
• superficial
• shallow
• restricted
• narrow
• hit-or-miss
• slipshod

6

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

a riding school that will teach you all skills required of the complete equestrian

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skilled
• proficient
• skillful
• adept
• experienced
• expert
• good
• great
• accomplished
• master
• practiced
• masterful
• consummate
• virtuoso
• masterly
• professed
• veteran
• educated
• crack
• gifted
• talented
• ace
• capable
• compleat
• crackerjack
• versed
• competent
• efficient
• able
• qualified
• effective
• handy
• trained
• employable
• polished
• clever
• old
• slick
• fitted
• fit
• deft
• taught
• refined
• workmanlike
• adroit
• dexterous
• effectual
• well-rounded
• long-term
• knowledgeable
• schooled
• sure-handed
• all-around
• tutored
• multiskilled
• multitalented
• habile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unable
• incapable
• amateur
• weak
• unskilled
• inexperienced
• incompetent
• unqualified
• unfit
• amateurish
• unfitted
• unprofessional
• inexpert
• inept
• crude
• unseasoned
• artless
• new
• inefficient
• ineffective
• beginning
• unskillful
• rude
• ineffectual
• would-be
• jackleg
• green
• ignorant
• raw
• primitive
• untrained
• untutored
• inexperienced
• rough
• unschooled
• untaught
• untested
• untalented
• unpolished
• untried
• awkward
• unseasoned
• clumsy
• ungifted
• talentless
• heavy-handed
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb complete differ from other similar words?

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

Where would close be a reasonable alternative to complete?

The meanings of close and complete largely overlap; however, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

In what contexts can conclude take the place of complete?

While the synonyms conclude and complete are close in meaning, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When could end be used to replace complete?

Although the words end and complete have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might finish be a better fit than complete?

The words finish and complete can be used in similar contexts, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When would terminate be a good substitute for complete?

In some situations, the words terminate and complete are roughly equivalent. However, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of complete

Verb

The city says completing the improvements is an important investment for people who live and work near the tracks today, as well as future residents as Greeley continues to grow. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

The Coroner’s Office did confirm that an autopsy was completed on Monday. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Atlanta Housing learned that the property management has deployed a repair team and is expecting remediation to be complete today. — Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

While there were previous assurances under the Biden administration that the site would reopen once construction was complete, that does not appear to be the case now. — Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026