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
That would be like blaming Czechoslovakia for Adolf Hitler seizing part of its territory in 1938 and the entire country in 1939. Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Everyone was in a real groove during the season premiere, especially when the entire panel got jingoistic about the moon. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 And Arizona State has enough alternatives that KU cannot devote its entire plan to stopping him. Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 Instead of defending the entire vision, investigate the part that feels least certain. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • Schrader had been catching heat all week for his comments on a new all-AI movie.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Western High School, a public all-girls high school, was founded in 1844.
    Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Tucker Kraft Day is a real thing, too, and the whole town gathered on Main Street in their Kraft gear while a drone flew overhead.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • And there’s a whole generation of girlies like me who’ve followed these ladies through our adolescence into adulthood.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Cregger uses first-person-shooter point-of-view shots, with the long barrel of a rifle or automatic weapon lining up our sights; one running gag sees Bryan, completely hopeless with guns, having to shoot the locks off of gates.
    Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • At the center of it all is the completely fictional Corinne, who Huppert plays to the hilt.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 Sep. 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
  • So the first question was whether a single party should ever hold a complete key, and therefore complete control over a client’s assets.
    Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Election officials have said there was simply no way to carry out a complete overhaul in the weeks before the midterms.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • In some ways Bartlow mirrors the choice of some fine dining chefs in Spain to trade perfectly plated still lifes for deep, homey flavors that cover every inch of the table.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Why do some humorous attempts land perfectly while others fail?
    Norbert Schwarz, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Along the way, the visible token cost of the underlying models may be only a fraction of the total cost to complete the business task.
    Nicola Sfondrini, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The first Monday Night Football matchup of the 2026 season was a total disaster class for the Denver Broncos, who got flattened 31-10 by the Kansas City Chiefs at a rowdy Arrowhead Stadium.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Yes, with fully accessible guest rooms, roll-in showers, and pool lifts (more details on their Accessibility Page).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • One passenger was fully ejected from the bus and another was partially ejected, police said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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