complete 1 of 2

1
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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

complete

2 of 2

adjective

1
2
3
4
5
6

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For
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complete information
detailed information
true information
correct information
comprehensive information
full information
complete understanding
perfect understanding
full understanding
absolute understanding
sufficient understanding
total understanding
complete coverage
total coverage
full coverage
enough coverage
excellent coverage
over-all coverage
a complete list
a detailed list
an extensive list
an exhaustive list
a definitive list
a conclusive list
complete lack
total lack

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
Under current law, developers can be held liable for construction defects for up to 10 years after a project is completed, even for cosmetic damages. Muhammad Alameldin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025 The final cost will be set once the design is completed, said Laura Swartz, the communications director for the Department of Finance. Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
This canopy comes complete with guy ropes, stakes, and weight bags for long days outside. Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2025 These were used to generate complete genome sequences. John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete
Verb
  • Related Articles Brown finished his NFL career with 13 interceptions and six fumble recoveries in 71 regular-season games, along with the two interceptions in the playoffs.
    Josh Dubow, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Woods finishes at 9-over 153, the highest 36-hole total of his career.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rugs in All Forms: Function Meets Design Whether anchoring a living room or adding texture to a hallway, Scandinavian rugs are available in a variety of formats, including runners, large statement pieces, and soft area rugs designed to complement open floor plans or cozy corners.
    Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
  • Both schemes have excellent role players who complement their team's efforts.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Major automakers want Congress to bar California's landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035 that has been adopted by 11 other states, warning the rules could begin impacting vehicle shipments in a few months.
    David Shepardson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The festival kicks off on May 13, and ends on May 24, with the winners broadcast live at the closing ceremony on France Télévisions in France and by Brut internationally.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The fresh color popped up when Middleton and Prince William traveled to Scotland to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary and fulfill some royal duties.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 1 May 2025
  • For students applying in this admissions cycle, Yale made the groundbreaking move to allow students to submit Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores rather than the ACT or SAT to fulfill their standardized testing requirement.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Since then, the Club Shay Shay host and his legal team have vehemently denied the allegations and claimed the Jane Doe set up the entire situation with a plan to extort him for $50 million.
    Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 5 May 2025
  • Dina’s hair looks incredible the entire time, by the way.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • The exhibit is an immersive installation that showcases the processes of turning raw titanium into finished Super Titanium™ watches, the exhibition also boasts a centerpiece room with nine freestanding structures made from nearly 1,000 titanium plates.
    Roberta Naas, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • There will be booths with yarn, equipment and finished goods.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This balancing act reflects Prime Video’s broader strategy of becoming a comprehensive entertainment destination.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 May 2025
  • Democrats tried for decades to pass comprehensive healthcare legislation before finally succeeding without any GOP support in 2010 under President Barack Obama.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • Baffert had long operated under a cloud of suspicion inside and outside of racing, thanks in part to his larger-than-life public persona and his utter domination of the competition on the racetrack – not to mention a series of other petty drug infractions in big races leading up to the 2021 Derby.
    Katie Bo Lillis, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
  • Both looked to the heavens — well, the Ball Arena rafters — in utter disbelief.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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