exhaustive

adjective

ig-ˈzȯ-stiv How to pronounce exhaustive (audio)
Definition of exhaustivenext
1
as in thorough
trying all possibilities after an exhaustive search of our house, we still hadn't found the cat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comprehensive
covering everything or all important points an exhaustive survey of the nation's sexual habits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 exhaustive The research done is exhaustive, and the narrative formed by the team to present in episodes is sonically captivating. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 That’s a massive slow down from the exhaustive output Marvel previously delivered across theaters and streaming. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 27 July 2026 Fatal crashes, pedestrian incidents, and hit-and-runs require exhaustive forensic documentation before any wreckage can be moved. — Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 23 July 2026 The case for the Okefenokee’s inclusion on the World Heritage List is laid out in an exhaustive, 266-page dossier. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhaustive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhaustive
  1. thorough
  2. comprehensive
  3. extensive
  4. full
  5. complete
Adjective
  • Don’t worry about leaking or popping because this water mat is constructed with thick PVC that has undergone thorough testing.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In late 2016, for example, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology issued the first thorough, unclassified warning about the potential national security risks posed by biotechnology.
    — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorough
Adjective
  • Today, some are convincing enough to fool experts, helped along by a market where documentation is scarce and comprehensive catalogs and archives are rare.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Receive a comprehensive breakdown of talent showcasing this year by signing up for our Comedy Means Business newsletter at this link.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Its analysis points to the extensive redesign work required to accommodate steam catapults, including their machinery, piping, water requirements and integration with the carrier’s existing electrical and internal systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • The full results of the clinical trial have yet to be released, but the preliminary findings are exciting.
    — Tom Price, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The school will hold full classes and provide lunch and take-home dinners for its students, parents, and staff who are waking up in the dark yet again on Friday.
    — Laura Bannon, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of full
Adjective
  • Craig said construction of the first stage of the Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan was 84% complete.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But a complete turnover on defense, coupled with nonconference games at Georgia Tech and Northwestern, will lead to another losing season, after which both sides move in different directions.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of complete

Browse Nearby Words

exhaustion
exhaustive
exhaustively
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Cite this Entry

“Exhaustive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhaustive. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on exhaustive

Nglish: Translation of exhaustive for Spanish Speakers

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