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
  • Her interest seems to be the whole world, or at least the way her nation’s tentacles spread into it.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The directive bars brands from turning a benefit tied to one feature into an environmental claim about the whole product.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 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
  • For more than 50 years, the house remained vacant, was ravaged by fire, and fell into complete disrepair.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Then again, the album’s 15-minute runtime presupposes a complete lasting impression isn’t the point.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Row’s perfectly balanced, Midas-touch accessories, to serve you a lifetime and beyond.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Years of convictions for escape, battery and weapons while in prison kept adding time to his total sentence.
    — David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Similarly, an organization should understand its total financial commitment even when payments are spread over several years.
    — Hani Assi, Forbes.com, 13 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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