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
  • Castle and McNeeley went on to win the end-of-season freshman award, while Mullins was a unanimous selection to the all-freshman team last year.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The almost all-gold collection certainly suggested a milestone moment.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Crab shells, whole and in pieces, turned up all over the school, to be swept away with the dust and fallen leaves and other litter, placed in a trash bag, and carried off behind the buildings to the incinerator.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The whole college football world was watching, waiting to see if USC’s coach could deliver in the most critical of moments.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • These dangerous illnesses are all completely preventable and serve as a reminder of the importance of proper vaccines to protect the health of our families and children.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The wall is also fragile and cannot be completely preserved, so archaeologists will use modern technology to create a 3D reconstruction for further study.
    — Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 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
  • The incoming wave hits a slanted wall, bounces off at an angle, and rapidly spirals into complete unpredictability.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • An almost complete goddess torso, identified as the Roman goddess of victory, includes wings, a palm branch, and a victory laurel.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Nothing hits quite like a pair of $39 Levi’s jeans, and this perfectly stretchy, dark-wash option is just what the doctor ordered.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This, the perfectly decent people of Kettleborough reasoned, was a natural and godly rebuke for Susan and Cuthbert’s sin.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The battery accounted for more than half of the drone’s total weight, forcing the students to account for its mass throughout the flight.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The new options will bring the total count down to 254 seats from 278 on those planes.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Resnikoff fully inhabits the role of Jaku, giving him a distinctive and consistent voice, posture and temperament.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Officials said during the Oval Office event that building the pipeline will take three years and that exports of liquified natural gas would begin two years after that -- but that was dependent on financing coming through fully.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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