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
In years prior, Jenner has celebrated her August birthday by planning lavish events, including luxury yacht excursions or renting out entire venues. Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 The nutrient cycling of the entire site might take 100 years. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 The 68-year-old also lost her husband and her son, who worked at a local hydropower plant, in the flash floods that hit the region on Wednesday, erasing entire communities. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Just a few smart organization finds though can help keep the entire family on track for the chaos of the season. Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • Then, the next technological iteration replaced the human eye with photographic plates in the 19th century, which led to the first sensitive all-sky surveys.
    Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But the 31-year-old was England’s leading wicket-taker during the winter’s 4-1 defeat to Australia, taking 22 wickets, and remains an important all-format bowler for England.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Software genius John Moores saw his fourth Padres team light up the whole region.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • As the significance of the whole project to Leigh became clear, O’Flynn found that grief infusing the work.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Russian forces have long targeted the strategic cities of Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk as part of a push to completely capture the Donetsk Oblast, one of the Kremlin’s key objectives in the conflict.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which was directed by Robert Zemeckis with animation overseen by Richard Williams, takes every aspect of itself, even the zany silliness of cartoons, completely seriously, while never losing sight of the fun.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The following morning, Greenland was still there, still demanding my undivided attention.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Each spouse generally owns an undivided one-half interest in community assets.
    Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Before her full staging was complete, friends connected her with women who had early-stage breast cancer.
    Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Based on SweetNight Lab test results, the complete system delivers sleep comfort that's up to 11° cooler.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Before Gould arrived, Gates’s team spent the day installing — making sure every bedspread, headboard, desk arrangement, lamp and, of course, the umbrella were perfectly in place.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Mia Wasikowska perfectly embodies the role of Agata, a writer returning to her home continent, seeking to understand and reconnect with the wounds of the recent past, and with the ways in which unresolved conflicts continue to echo in the present.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • CrowdStrike said that its Quiltworks partners have collaborated on nearly $400 million of total contract value pipeline to date.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The other side of the ball gave up the third most points in the NFL, most rushing yards and second most total yards.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • Anthropic wanted assurance that its technology would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance, and the DOD wanted Anthropic to grant the agency unfettered access to Claude across all lawful purposes.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But then Anton brings up the idea of Talia and Brooke using him as their sperm donor and Talia fully cracks up.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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