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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
While this might not sound like a large number of soldiers for an entire continent, the number itself is misleading. Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 As the two advanced to the quarterfinals—losing yesterday to Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková—their chemistry and effortless camaraderie both on and off the court had the entire internet rallying around them. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025 The 49-year-old was just named the CEO of Nestlé, the multinational food and drink conglomerate consisting of brands like Nespresso, KitKat, and Cheerios, after spending his entire career climbing the same ladder. Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025 The best planning looks across the entire business, from strategic priorities to capex plans. Kevan Yalowitz, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • The children were among the 27 campers and counselors who died at the Christian all-girls’ camp during the flooding that caused the Guadalupe River to rise to historic levels, devastating the Texas Hill Country.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Ben Hania, her all-Palestinian cast, Phoenix and Mara all wore black and carried a framed photo of 6-year-old Hind Rajab, the film’s subject and a victim of the war in Gaza.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Now Kate has a whole new political reality to navigate, even as Hal continues to campaign for Kate to become vice president.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Without his braces, Butt-Head sees the world and himself in a whole new light.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Note that full containment doesn't mean the fire is completely out.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Is your inner world calling for your undivided attention?
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Whether giving someone your undivided attention or attending a meeting to support a colleague, showing up matters more than ever.
    Joseph Liu, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Slickers County Ice Cream No trip to Prince Edward County is complete without a stop at this beloved small-batch ice cream shop.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • At that point, a new Border War chapter was all but complete, and this one came with huge moments, plot twists, momentum swings, the works.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Late in the second quarter, facing second-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 35, Rodgers led receiver Calvin Austin III perfectly with one of those off-balance wrist-flick throws 14 yards past the line of scrimmage from the far hash, for a 30-yard gain.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In short, the Norfleet touchdown perfectly encapsulated the role of fourth-down aggression in this game.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In regions where the total lunar eclipse is visible, totality will last 82 minutes, though the entire eclipse stretches over about five hours.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The Royals had scored nine total runs against him.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • What began as a quick bite to hold me over until dinner turned into a fully fledged feast of lemon tagliolini with swordfish ragu, maccheroncini cacio e pepe with citrus, and paccheri pasta with tomatoes, burrata, and basil.
    Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • By Saturday evening, the fire has been fully contained.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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