entire 1 of 2

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
Cotillard binged the entire show in three days and was a fan, Leder recalled. Matt Minton, Variety, 10 June 2026 IndieWire recently celebrated the process of the entire show at an event presented in partnership with Prime Video. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 June 2026 Despite the detailed prop and set specs, the entire process was relatively speedy with development taking four-months, pre-production eight weeks and the shoot ten days spread over three weeks. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 June 2026 The Utah data center O’Leary is backing would use more electricity than the entire state does annually. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for entire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • Bilton’s arrival was immediately met with internal pushback from Pelley, who confronted the new boss during a heated all-hands meeting on Monday.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2026
  • Tortorello said O’Mara would say Mass in the morning with the sisters, the students and staff, and also presided over the large, all-school masses and the Kairos retreats.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • The whole world relied on our labor, but none of us felt any sense of accomplishment.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • The drums were louder, the extra kick drums hit harder, and the whole song felt … Blacker.
    Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
Adverb
  • Authorities will not be able to begin their investigation into the cause of the fire until it is completely extinguished, Heefner said.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • Two, any fears of Kansas City being unable to handle a World Cup are completely wrong.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Some simply need your undivided attention.
    Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2026
  • Israel considers all of Jerusalem to be its eternal, undivided capital.
    Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Put simply, Maine would not be Maine without its lobster—and a trip to Maine wouldn’t be complete without eating some.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • That single trait adds a complete unpredictability to Waddle’s breaks.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Adverb
  • One meteor that plunged into the sleepy British town of Winchcombe in 2021 — leaving a sizable dent in a family’s driveway — was found to have a D/H ratio that almost perfectly matched that of Earth’s oceans.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2026
  • Also, Elmo perfectly illustrated why online betting needs stronger regulation, something that is currently being debated in Washington.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Most of this year’s total tally erosion traces to a single category.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
  • Coker can make up to $41 million in total incentives across four years, as the extension adds to the qualifying offer Coker signed as an exclusive rights free agent earlier this offseason.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Adverb
  • While Pochettino said the substitution was purely precautionary, American fans will likely remain uneasy until Pulisic is back on the field and fully healthy.
    Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • The addition of a new service, if priced similarly to others, could cost consumers $15 per month to fully realise AI on their smartphones.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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