complete 1 of 2

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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

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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complete

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adjective

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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

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 complete
Verb
The Wally 94 Inti finished second, while the Briand 108 Inoui, owned by YCCS member Marco Vogele, completed the podium. Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025 The play of the secondary contniued to be concerning, as Earle regularly had time to find his receivers and completed over 70% of his passes. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
This group, which took the New York Liberty down to the final possession of the WNBA Finals last year, has relied on complimentary skillsets, interconnectedness and Reeve’s complete schematic overhaul from the dynastic days. Matthew Coller, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025 Carlsbad certainly belongs in the talk for the most complete teams in the section. Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete
Verb
  • When Calgary finished a disappointing fifth in the Pacific Division in 2023-24 and missed the playoffs by 17 points, that set the stage for Markstrom’s trade to the New Jersey Devils and opened the door for Wolf.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Hubbard finished the game with 16 carries for 57 yards.
    DIAMOND VENCES, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Then complement it with a refreshing fattoush salad or one of our comforting homestyle stews, which reflect the heart of our kitchen.
    Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Jordan Whittington – gains 50 yards through the air to complement Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Election laws are set at the state level, meaning that any order from the president seeking to end the voting option would likely be met with legal challenges.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Daylight saving time ends (slightly) earlier in 2025.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Liberation from time and pruning through mass dishwasher ownership is a dream that remainsonly partly fulfilled.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Half of Walmart’s online orders are fulfilled from stores, with the rest coming from Walmart warehouses and seller warehouses.
    Dan Gingiss, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The entire series is available on Disney+, and Season 2 has 12 episodes, between 45 minutes and an hour each.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But to be honest, one pump of either doesn’t cover my entire big face.
    Jessica Hartshorn, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisement As of today, more than half of these strategic minerals face some sort of export restriction or control, whether on the minerals themselves or the know-how that allows them to be incorporated into finished products.
    Fatih Birol, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Trump in particular has turned the heat on Sheinbaum to limit China’s influence on manufacturing in Mexico, with the Mexican president taking steps to curb imports on finished apparel and, more recently, footwear.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The hotel has partnered with San Antonio’s new Hospitality Academy to give comprehensive training to nearly all employees.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • As more small businesses transition online and omnichannel selling becomes more prevalent, Shopify’s expanding ecosystem of payments, point-of-sale integrations, marketing tools, and applications positions it as a comprehensive commerce platform.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Here was the postwar American housewife—neatly dressed, pretty, poised, active—stepping unwittingly into a scene of utter depravity and sadism that reflected back at this wholesome young mother the darkest recesses of the human mind.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Such comments demonstrate his utter disregard for and distrust of law enforcement and our legal process.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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