end 1 of 2

1
as in to finish
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point let's end the meeting with a short prayer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

end

2 of 2

noun

1
2
3
as in remainder
an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value a couple of ends of wallpaper were all that was left after we finished papering the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
as in tip
the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow a child's pair of scissors with blunt ends

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
8
9

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb end differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of end are close, complete, conclude, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might close be a better fit than end?

In some situations, the words close and end are roughly equivalent. However, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When could complete be used to replace end?

While the synonyms complete and end are close in meaning, 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

When can conclude be used instead of end?

The synonyms conclude and end are sometimes interchangeable, but conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

In what contexts can finish take the place of end?

While in some cases nearly identical to end, finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When is terminate a more appropriate choice than end?

The meanings of terminate and end largely overlap; 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 end
Verb
Last month, the Supreme Court allowed the administration to end the work permits and deportation protections of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans TPS recipients. June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025 However, just one year into this deal, the Giants decided to waive Jones and end the experiment with him under center. Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Noun
Yet although Gi-hun has lost his goofy cheerfulness and optimism by the end of the first season, one thing remains intact: his conscience. Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Senate lawmakers are pressing to vote on the measure by the end of the week. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for end
Recent Examples of Synonyms for end
Verb
  • But by 2025 when the project was finished, the cost had gone above the grant amount of $698,500.
    Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • As in the past, Nordic countries top the charts, with the Finns finishing first, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • The only way to stop that is for the Texas Supreme Court to do what is did here, which was to render a corrective opinion.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • In 2012, the Premier League stopped awarding bottles of Champagne along with man of the match awards, out of respect for the religious beliefs of some players.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • What’s next: The Royals conclude their weekend series against the Padres on Sunday afternoon.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2025
  • In the study, scientists concluded further adaptation and the potential expansion of cropland may be needed to ensure food security and mitigate climate impacts.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Roberts died at 90 years old in her sleep from natural causes in April 2016.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 21 June 2025
  • At some point during our new Gilded Age, as the United States and the world have become more unequal, did Prince Charming die?
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • This ending brought a sense of closure to Marge, who is now in heaven with Beatles member Ringo Starr.
    Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 25 June 2025
  • Haliburton, by virtue of his framed quote, thinks about new endings often.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Protection from surveillance comes in two forms: top-down legal and policy limits on data collection, and bottom-up technological protections in the hands of the targets of that surveillance.
    Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 16 June 2025
  • After watching his inspiring return from injury, Acosta won’t put limits on him.
    Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • From there, players stick to Abby's perspective for nearly the entire remainder of the game.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Another gift that generates regular income is the charitable remainder trust.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • Use The 3x3 Method For Direction And Action My clients use 3x3 goal setting to keep sailing toward their goals.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Our goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you the essential knowledge and understanding to come to your own intelligent conclusions.
    Sara Miller Llana, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“End.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/end. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on end

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!