entire 1 of 2

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
Cotillard binged the entire show in three days and was a fan, Leder recalled. Matt Minton, Variety, 10 June 2026 IndieWire recently celebrated the process of the entire show at an event presented in partnership with Prime Video. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 June 2026 Despite the detailed prop and set specs, the entire process was relatively speedy with development taking four-months, pre-production eight weeks and the shoot ten days spread over three weeks. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 June 2026 The Utah data center O’Leary is backing would use more electricity than the entire state does annually. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • For Juice’s wedding day wardrobe, the groom aimed to elevate his day-to-day fashion with a formal, all-black look.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 15 June 2026
  • That’s where these powerful all-weather Canon 18x50 IS binoculars come in.
    Chris McMullen, Space.com, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • The whole schedule was delayed due to weather in the area.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 June 2026
  • That's important, and that's also the whole vibe of the World Cup.
    Dawn White, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Adverb
  • Authorities will not be able to begin their investigation into the cause of the fire until it is completely extinguished, Heefner said.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • Rosa Emanuela Lo Faro, an Italian lawyer who represents some of the minors, told CNN that in some cases the children were completely cut off from their lives back in Ukraine.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • What Kerr looks forward to the most is giving her undivided attention to her son and daughter.
    Nancy Kruh, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
  • That's incumbent on managers committing to give reports their undivided attention when meeting, Rogelberg says.
    Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • But the call of the stage was so strong that Abdul-Mateen II made a complete career change in his late 20s.
    Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 14 June 2026
  • In another record-breaking start Friday, Misiorowski threw his first complete-game shutout in his 28th big-league start, striking out 15 in a 6-0 win against the Philadelphia Phillies.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
Adverb
  • In fact, the product’s popularity soared in the Victorian era, when the royal laundress credited her perfectly bright linens to the little blue additive, turning it into a household must-have.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
  • Native tepary beans are cooked perfectly al dente with carrots and nopales and garnished with red chile sauce and salsa verde.
    Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Coker can make up to $41 million in total incentives across four years, as the extension adds to the qualifying offer Coker signed as an exclusive rights free agent earlier this offseason.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
  • However, the drama and comedy series categories are guaranteed to have eight nominees each, regardless of the total number of entries.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
Adverb
  • The skydiver fell about 7,000 feet from the plane before the main lines fully unwound from the dangling reserve line and functioned normally for the remainder of the descent, the report said.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 12 Dec. 2025
  • Several weapons were also recovered from the Manteca home including a fully automatic AR-15 rifle, Sutter County sheriff’s officials said.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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