COMPLETER Synonyms: 390 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

complete 1 of 2

verb

Definition of complete

as in to finish

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done managed to complete the assignment with time to spare

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of no payments will be made until the contract is completed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

complete

2 of 2

adjective

kəm-ˈplēt

as in entire

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it a complete deck of cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in finished

brought or having come to an end your education is never complete—there's always something more to learn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in comprehensive

covering everything or all important points will present complete coverage of the tennis tournament

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions he's a complete genius

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in thorough

trying all possibilities a complete search of the computer file

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor a riding school that will teach you all skills required of the complete equestrian

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

East Coast Builders of Florida is completing the engineering drawings for the memorial as an in-kind donation to the Parkland 17 Foundation, the nonprofit group that is organizing and raising money for the project. — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026 The mistake was especially frustrating for Nelson because this was her second attempt to complete the process. — Terrance Friday, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Phase 1 is finally complete, but that doesn’t mean it was done well. — Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 Davis pulled a home run down the left-field line in the third inning, his ninth of the season, off Walbert Urena (9-10), who was a tough-luck loser while pitching his first career complete game and the Angels’ first of the season. — ABC News, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete

Verb

City finished 17 points behind Chelsea when Chelsea won their most recent title, and maybe after a while that inculcates a sense of shakiness, or not-quite-worthiness.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The Kansas City Royals finished Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays without one of their key offensive contributors.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of finish

Verb

The sterile fly program complements efforts to monitor wildlife, inspect animals and work with ranchers in areas where the fly has been spotted to encourage regular checks for infestations.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Guns could complement lasers The researchers did not present artillery as a standalone solution.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of complement

Verb

But the most shocking win was, of course, UMass’ 37-21 victory at Rutgers, ending a 16-game losing streak and 23-game Football Bowl Subdivision losing streak.

— Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The goal ended the Trojans’ hopes of a huge win, but the draw was still an important result for USC, considering how this season has gone.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of end

Adjective

The entire Braves offense struggled, but it’s especially felt from first baseman Olson.

— Jesús Cano, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Beyond the supermarket, however, grocery prices will also reflect the rising cost of diesel across the entire food supply chain, starting with farmers.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of entire

Adjective

Sellers with finished films that didn’t earn a slot in the festival itself are now able to host private market screenings of some still big commercial films.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
An obsession with discipline—both in the process and finished pieces—has driven her to deliver numerous competition wins for saddlery and wearable arts, and exhibition honors at London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

— Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of finished

Adjective

China’s grain output reached a record 715 million tons in 2025, while national plans call for increasing comprehensive grain production capacity to about 725 million tons by 2030.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
In May, Raman announced a comprehensive Palisades recovery plan that touched on many of the demands fire survivors had been voicing for more than a year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of comprehensive

Adjective

This Ninth — featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and four superb vocal soloists (Saioa Hernández, Tamara Mumford, David Portillo and Ryan Speedo Green) — became Beethoven, alive in the moment, an instrument of utter joy.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Sweet, aromatic, and bubblegum pink, this playful cocktail is the utter definition of fun.

— Bradleigh Mobley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of utter

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“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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