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
Finding entertainment that is both compelling and appropriate for the entire family has become more difficult than ever. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026 Hutman wanted the entire Facebook campus to avoid being one brutal (Brutalist) metaphor, however. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 Lange asked, saying Murphy had presented this season, initially, as the final season of the entire franchise. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 Allen played Toby Cavanaugh on Pretty Little Liars, who, despite multiple close calls, survived the entire series. — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 9 Oct. 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
  • That’s very much present in both our opening and closing night selections, but also across the whole program.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • This whole series has been about honoring the past without having to relive it.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • Rooms Splayed across the cliff front and dense, thrumming jungle at the southwestern tip of Bali, the 37 villas that make up the property as of 2026 are each completely unique in design, character and art.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders reacted by condemning the warrants as completely unjustified and a clear proof of the United Nations’ antisemitism.
    — Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 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
  • Cupping treatments come in detoxifying and cellulite targeting versions, and there's a complete slate of massage, sugaring, waxing, aromatherapy, and hair and makeup options.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Although Koerte believes Europe needs to develop greater AI capabilities, complete sovereignty remains a pipe dream.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • The more casual El Mercado has a traditional adobe oven from which meats and vegetables come out perfectly cooked.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The impact of Pickens' only two receptions in the 34-30 victory illustrates perfectly what coach Brian Schottenheimer believes about the Dallas offense.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The new commitment brings RedBird's total contribution to Skydance to $6 billion, the person said, asking to not be identified because the financing hasn't yet been made public.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The twist is, the would-be brides and grooms must hand total control of their love lives to their families.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • There is a lot of debate around in-person, hybrid and fully remote work.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Omelchenko appreciates the study authors’ ability to translate math to real life but notes that fully evaluating the possibilities of new stitches by using torus diagrams would be impractically expensive to compute.
    — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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