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Definition of completenext
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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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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
Users must first complete a short calibration routine that adapts the system to their individual movements. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026 Texas law requires police officers to complete a course called Trauma-Informed Approach to Sexual Assault Investigations. — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Adjective
Create a new account and complete registration and KYC verification. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026 The Kansas Jayhawks opened the 2026-27 regular season against the Fordham Rams and showcased why they are considered one of the more diverse and complete teams in the country. — Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete
Verb
  • Conwell finished Monday’s loss with five points on 2-of-4 shooting from the field and 1-of-3 shooting on threes, one rebound and one assist in eight minutes.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • MaxPreps records show Beyer finished 0-10 in 2018, 2021 and 2022.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Sprouse complemented his wife’s elaborate look with a black pinstriped suit and oversized bow tie.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney give Michigan a strong backcourt that will be complemented by the transfer portal and high school recruits.
    — Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Rodney Rice had 15 points and nine assists in his first game since a season-ending shoulder injury last year, and KJ Lewis added 10 points.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Mitchell ended the night with 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 shooting on threes and seven assists.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • In a time when peers such as the New York Dolls and Velvet Underground were upending rock and roll with glamour and arty disaffection, Television fulfilled the genre’s promises of both swaggering virtuosity and restless reinvention.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Some see it as a promise kept, others as one not yet fulfilled, and others as the inverse—that Trump has since disassembled beyond repair the nation and its political institutions rather than rebuilding these as pledged.
    — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • KingSong says wheel removal is as simple as taking out nine screws and popping free a few snap-and-play electrical connections to separate the entire wheel, complete with in-wheel motor assembly, from the upper chassis.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2026
  • The Spurs led by 43 points in the third quarter, allowing the defending Western Conference champions to sit their starters and most of their key reserves for the entire fourth.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • That figure is an estimate from the research team, not the price of a finished device.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Despite having a finished screenplay, securing a green light proved elusive.
    — Simon Bland, IndieWire, 9 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • This happens because cities to a large extent are bound by their comprehensive plans, which govern how land can be used.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The Venezuelan migrant crisis The assistance and response led by Prevost in the face of the massive arrival of Venezuelan migrants in 2018 was comprehensive and had a different vision from that of the country’s other regions.
    — Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • An underappreciated and entirely pleasing aspect of the Republicans’ demolishment on Tuesday was the utter failure of their attempt to preserve a GOP House majority through outlandish gerrymandering.
    — Robert Gebelhoff, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The film became such a cultural phenomenon that its title is now practically synonymous with parties that descend into utter chaos.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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