Definition of entirenext

entire

2 of 2

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
Each of them spent their entire life in a cage and had to learn what grass was for the first time. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Following this season, Happ — who’s spent his entire career with the Cubs — will be a free agent. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 Taking over the entire third floor, the free exhibition is its largest format to date and the Parisian luxury maison’s biggest local project of the year. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026 Sorry to the entire East Coast, but your weekend has been canceled. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • Twenty-five campers and two teenage counselors at the Christian all-girls camp were killed as the raging Guadalupe River surged beyond its banks before dawn on July 4, 2025.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The vampy all-burgundy ensemble was playfully textural and was styled with burgundy tights and a bold burgundy red lip.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • After Sheeran’s controversy following the Macklemore removal, the whole family wasn’t onboard anymore.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Cregger uses first-person-shooter point-of-view shots, with the long barrel of a rifle or automatic weapon lining up our sights; one running gag sees Bryan, completely hopeless with guns, having to shoot the locks off of gates.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • At the center of it all is the completely fictional Corinne, who Huppert plays to the hilt.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Lots of undivided attention, positive reinforcement, love, affection, and pride when my kids were successful.
    — Lauren Gelman, Parents, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The following morning, Greenland was still there, still demanding my undivided attention.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Many organizations don’t have a complete inventory of where cryptography is being used today.
    — Evgeny Gervis, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Once that happens, the attackers have the token that gives complete control over the Muse account.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • The flat seat design—with minimal padding—serves as a constant reminder of the KB998 Rimini’s racing heritage, and may not feel great for longer rides, but provides a perfectly stable platform to slide across on track.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The outerwear pick has a slightly oversized fit that’ll pair perfectly with chunky sweaters, plus it’s made from a gorgeous faux-suede material.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • While the total economic fallout of an extreme El Nino is hard to calculate, losses from past events have reached trillions of dollars, according to HSBC's Global Investment Research, which warns the numbers could be even bigger this time.
    — EDNA TARIGAN, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The analyst pointed to data that shows DKeX ranked third for total share of prediction markets volume last week, with Polymarket and Kalshi leading by a wide margin.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • The federal tax credit is also fully stackable on top of other state credits, which have already gotten pretty aggressive.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Borrowers must have been assessed an ATM access fee or other charge fee that was not fully reimbursed by their bank.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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