1
as in finales
the last part of a process or action
the plagiarism scandal was a disgraceful ending to a once-promising academic career
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cessations
the stopping of a process or activity
the best part about any dental procedure is its ending
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of endings
Wrexham’s penchant for Hollywood endings means nothing can be discounted until the mathematicians say so.
—
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
And to jump ahead, the endings are completely different.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
From Romeo and Juliet to Ennis and Jack, here’s a look at nine romances that have had the opposite of happy endings.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The ones with hoppy endings How does the Easter Bunny keep his fur in place?
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
As Quibi learned the hard way, accelerated timelines rarely produce Hollywood endings.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Neither requires action because the endings to their stories have already been written.
—Charlie Tyrell, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Even storybook seasons aren’t immune to unhappy endings.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2026
There were heroic actions, tragic endings and lasting changes made.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
And to jump ahead, the endings are completely different.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
From Romeo and Juliet to Ennis and Jack, here’s a look at nine romances that have had the opposite of happy endings.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The ones with hoppy endings How does the Easter Bunny keep his fur in place?
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
As Quibi learned the hard way, accelerated timelines rarely produce Hollywood endings.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Neither requires action because the endings to their stories have already been written.
—Charlie Tyrell, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Even storybook seasons aren’t immune to unhappy endings.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2026
There were heroic actions, tragic endings and lasting changes made.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for endings
Noun
-
Some of this positioning has come from their fellow players; finales for the first 40 seasons were packed with bitter jurors who often saved their meanest digs for the women finalists.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The finales begin April 7 with the season’s last High Potential case and run through May 15 with the final answer and question on Celebrity Jeopardy!—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Temporary cessations of hostility, but no permanent closing of the moral and social divide between debtor and creditor, and no giving up on the thought that some lives matter more than others.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In discussions with others, caution against leaping to conclusions.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Another great example of this in action is KPMG’s new early career program focused on human qualities such as critical thinking, data analysis, and drawing conclusions rather than technical know-how.—
Teuila Hanson,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Today’s writers use it to wildly different ends, from political invectives to plainspoken diaries to surreal dreamscapes.—
Patrick Dundon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Interestingly, these camps represent the opposite ends of the spectrum, ranging from more modest and traditional Japanese characteristics to wild expressionist designs that clash with the country’s collectivist ideals.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Full moons are culminations — don’t forget to pause and see what’s already come full circle before rushing into more.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
28 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.—
Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yes, a consolidation of the motion picture studios from five down to four would mean fewer jobs, less choices for moviegoers, higher tickets prices, increased leveraged rental terms on cinemas by studios, potential multiplex closings and depleting ticket sales.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Some schools in Minnesota have already announced closings or shifts to virtual learning on Thursday as another round of winter weather threatens parts of the state.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As some businesses across the Greater Sacramento region are announcing layoffs and closures, one high-tech company in Rancho Cordova is actually expanding.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
It’s survived trends, closures, expansions, contractions and Charlotte’s constant identity shifts.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Endings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endings. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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