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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
What To Know This warning follows similar advisories issued up and down the entire West Coast as hazardous surf conditions continue to threaten public safety. Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Think of this home as the anthesis of the wave of millennial gray, where cold, austere tones took over an entire space. Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025 The entire Lower 48 states experience warming fall temperatures, except for a few areas in the Midwest and Southeast. Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025 This November, new calves will face those threats, just as their mothers have their entire lives. Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • Of course, around her recent wedding to Benny Blanco, Gomez went all-in on bridal whites, and for their newlywed debut on the red carpet at the Academy Museum Gala, both opted for sumptuous, all-black Armani.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Hotel Granduca Houston, Texas Echoing European sensibilities, this posh all-suite boutique property is embedded in the lavish district of Uptown, convenient to upscale shopping and dining.
    Kathryn Streeter, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Cangialosi compared his ability to see the whole field with that of former NFL coach John Madden, another broadcaster with a deep fear of flying.
    Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • But perhaps more importantly, Cork Tree helped the band become the therapists pumping through the speakers of a whole generation of skinny jean-wearing teens, igniting the pop-punk and emo music scene into a blazing force for the masses.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • For instance, the Comet browser still gets completely stumped on the website Semafor uses for expenses and travel.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Some neighborhoods have such high levels of destruction that the only option is to completely raze them and rebuild them.
    Shelly Culbertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And while in an era where productivity and efficiency are more top of mind than ever, Dimon insists that giving undivided attention is still the ultimate sign of respect.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In the arms race for audience’s undivided attention, both single-player and competitive games have become their own self-perpetuating ecosystems.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Yamamoto is also the first pitcher since Curt Schilling to throw consecutive complete games in a postseason.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But perhaps one of the most complete.
    Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The 27-yard dart, perfectly thrown to the goal line, unlocked a tie at 27 on the first play of the fourth quarter.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • For makeup, Sweeney’s hot pink eyeliner perfectly complemented her pastel gown.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • So this was a wave of the bat that made total sense but also no sense at all.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Thompson received nearly $136,000 in total compensation in 2023, the most recent year for which tax records were available — up from $95,608 a year earlier.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • To buy the Eight Sleep is to buy fully, with your whole body, into the idea that the future of sleep is technological.
    Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Quadcopter and multirotor drones Draganfly develops quadcopter and multirotor drones that are easy to use, quick to deploy, and fully calibrated at the company’s manufacturing facilities.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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