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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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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

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
Construction, which began in August 2025, is expected to be completed in June, according to Maria Kniestedt, a spokesperson for Rancho Cordova. Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026 The 684-foot Murtha, typically used to transport Marines, completed special training to qualify for such duty. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Feal closed Paya on March 2, and Cho opens April 9, a quick turnaround for a complete makeover. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026 But the two top Senate leaders, President pro tempore Martin Looney of New Haven and majority leader Bob Duff of Norwalk, blasted the Republicans for not offering complete, detailed plans for both taxing and spending. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete
Verb
  • The Horned Frogs finished the season 23-12 with a program high 11 wins in the Big 12.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Michigan finished the job, punctuating a remarkable two-year turnaround for May, who arrived at Michigan in 2024 after taking Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023.
    Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Every single space throughout the property makes the most of the landscape with massive windows and moody interiors that complement the moss surrounding the hotel in the summertime.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The plants that are selected as groundcover beneath crops tend to develop root systems that complement, rather than compete with the main crop.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When remediation ends too soon, contamination often rebounds, according to DERM officials.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
  • In some cases, the frost is severe enough to end the growing season and is then referred to as a 'killing frost'.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Local residents who spoke to commissioners said a promise from Black Mountain CEO Rhett Bennett to introduce the future data center’s operator to residents at a community meeting has not been fulfilled.
    Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
  • What makes Becky Shaw so fulfilling is its cynicism about love and its ruthless method of hurling those frustrations at its audience.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The jury award was a spur to understand a life recognizably shaped by social-media algorithms, in ways that were perhaps near-impossible to resist, as a serious injury to an entire generation.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Even so, the contamination still matters because the entire Biscayne Aquifer system is connected.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Each visit might bring a new mural in progress, a different artist at work, or a finished piece just hung on the wall.
    Carl Juste, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
  • More than 90% of China-ASEAN trade is in industrial intermediates rather than finished goods, and intra-regional FDI flows now represent roughly half of the FDI stock within the ASEAN+3 region, according to AMRO.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The measure, which is backed by two Native American tribes, calls for a comprehensive study on the feasibility of bringing back the golden bears that festoon the state’s flag.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The commission then took up the comprehensive plan change request for a vote, but even though Hoefs made a motion to recommend approval, the other commissioners did not second it.
    Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Still, seek balance, not utter seclusion.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • To some umps’ great dismay—and fans’ utter delight—calls are indeed getting overturned, with all the suspense of a Roman emperor deciding on a gladiator’s fate.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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