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
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Max Cutforth, a Nampa native and Skyview High graduate, couldn’t complete 50% of his passes (14-for-29), and threw for just 106 yards while tossing a pair of interceptions. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2025 Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
In 2013, the singer shared her angelic look on Instagram, complete with a fuzzy halo over her head and angel wings. Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 Then from March 20 through June 7, 2026, the annual Duffy and Friends Play Days will return, complete with adorable treats, merchandise, shows, and more. Megan Dubois, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete
Verb
  • In all, five Aztecs finished in double figures.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The wood-free Hyper Core composite walls are finished in automotive grade aluminum outer panels framed out via 11-gauge aluminum corner rails, protecting the trailer from low branches and flying debris.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The two hit the event in glamorous designs that perfectly complemented each other.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Glasner prefers his players to know their role perfectly, to complement each other and to commit to the game plan largely without deviation.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The benefit reductions for November are temporary, and SNAP recipients are expected to receive full benefits once the government shutdown ends and regular appropriations have been approved.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Hong Kong — Qatar Airways will sell its stake in Cathay Pacific Airways for $896 million, ending its eight-year shareholding in Hong Kong’s flagship carrier.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The experiment discovered that AI could fulfill this role quite well.
    François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • As a result of the deal, LSU may need to fulfill the $54 million buyout.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As a childless person who doesn’t teach I’ve been happily unaware that, due to standardized testing requirements that favor close reads of excerpts over whole books, there’s an entire generation of students who have very little contextual framework for the literature they’re being taught in school.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Morning Post citing data from Wind, already greater than the entire total in 2024.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Without regulation that mirrors modern scientific concern, Wicker recommends that brands adopt multiple layers of protection via multiple, overlapping certifications that span raw fiber to finished product.
    Sophie Benson, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Paul’s far from a finished product, but he’s clearly headed in the right direction in his second season.
    Omar Kelly October 29, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The conversation turned especially poignant when Dern discussed the practical realities facing older performers, noting that the Screen Actors Guild provides no comprehensive health care plan for retired actors.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Our study shows that comprehensive policy changes can meaningfully protect vaccination coverage.
    Anthony Bald, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, the key is to meld all three of those identities into one, a hockey Voltron of utter dominance.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The TikTok video was posted on October 8, and social-media users are obsessed with the dog’s utter distaste toward the litter of puppies.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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