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entire

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word entire distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of entire are all, total, and whole. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

How is all related to other words for entire?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could total be used to replace entire?

The synonyms total and entire are sometimes interchangeable, but total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

Where would whole be a reasonable alternative to entire?

The meanings of whole and entire largely overlap; however, whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

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 entire
Adjective
In their eyes, his music influenced an entire generation of artists and creatives. Mark P. Braboy, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025 Almost the entire 2025-26 UConn roster was in attendance along with coach Geno Auriemma and wife Kathy sitting courtside. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025 Here is what is new at the 2025 BMW Championship: Because only the top 50 golfers in the FedEx Cup rankings will participate in the championship, there is no cut, which ensures that the entire field – barring a withdrawal – will stick around until Sunday’s final round. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025 The entire episode was captured on NYPD bodycam video. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • Last Sunday, the historically Black all-male college where Hubert was a rising sophomore awarded him a posthumous Bachelor of Arts degree in religion.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 25 May 2025
  • Also while at Kansas, Townsend has coached 13 NBA Draft lottery selections, more than 30 overall NBA draftees and 70 all-Big 12 Jayhawks.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The study area covers the high seas of the whole Atlantic Ocean, from 65 degrees South latitude to 65 degrees North latitude and from 90 West longitude to 25 East longitude.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • But an even better story, in the whole grand scheme of things is this: In front of our eyes, and once and for all, the league got younger, and in a big way.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • This can be as simple as turning to your partner and giving them your undivided attention for a few minutes.
    Phil Stark, CNBC, 10 June 2025
  • But now more than ever, Cubs fans seem to be video board watching, giving their undivided attention to the left field video board erected 10 years ago during the Project 1060 renovation.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Requiring lawmakers to provide complete financial disclosures for their immediate families, not just joint accounts.
    Matt Paprocki, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • Air supremacy is the most complete form of aerial dominance a military can achieve.
    Nik Popli, Time, 17 June 2025
Adverb
  • This adaptation aligns perfectly with our mission to bring underrepresented perspectives to the screen through bold, engaging, and entertaining stories.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 June 2025
  • The loose shorts pair perfectly with the oversized three-quarter-sleeve button-down (with handy pockets!).
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • The special 350-ml. size is available at all 350 Bulgari boutiques globally, whereas the other formats of the scents will retail at 47 stores out of Bulgari’s total units in the next two years, Colombo said.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
  • In-house now outpaces Big Law as a percentage of total legal spend, a reflection of corporate buyers’ search for alternatives to the legacy firm model.
    Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Adverb
  • Asian spot prices obeyed the signal—jumping 11 percent to $14/mmBtu before London markets had fully digested the headline.
    Guney Yildiz, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • This strategy will reduce the time between launches for the fully reusable rocket, which SpaceX aims to fly multiple times per day.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Andres did not play in the first meeting between the schools and did not play a full game in the second meeting.
    Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
  • Make sure your browser supports WebGL to see the full version.
    Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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