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
The Canadian Space Agency promises plenty of support for the entire family when the big day comes. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 Suzanne Ciani was not only present at the beginning of electronic music, but helped develop the technology that would become the basis of an entire global genre. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026 Contemporary novelists have experimented with this in many ways, some even building the entire text from digital artifacts. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Their fate has been one of the biggest question marks looming over the entire deal. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 2 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
  • The third, Surrender, is a massage performed in water, in which the buoyancy and warmth allow the body to completely relax and let go.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
  • What’s different about this style is that its uppers are completely decorated with small, shimmering crystal details in a silvery, light-catching finish.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 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
  • The incoming wave hits a slanted wall, bounces off at an angle, and rapidly spirals into complete unpredictability.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • An almost complete goddess torso, identified as the Roman goddess of victory, includes wings, a palm branch, and a victory laurel.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Nothing hits quite like a pair of $39 Levi’s jeans, and this perfectly stretchy, dark-wash option is just what the doctor ordered.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This, the perfectly decent people of Kettleborough reasoned, was a natural and godly rebuke for Susan and Cuthbert’s sin.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The battery accounted for more than half of the drone’s total weight, forcing the students to account for its mass throughout the flight.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The new options will bring the total count down to 254 seats from 278 on those planes.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Resnikoff fully inhabits the role of Jaku, giving him a distinctive and consistent voice, posture and temperament.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Officials said during the Oval Office event that building the pipeline will take three years and that exports of liquified natural gas would begin two years after that -- but that was dependent on financing coming through fully.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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