Synonyms of exhaustive

exhaustive

adjective

ig-ˈzȯ-stiv 

1

as in thorough

trying all possibilities

after an exhaustive search of our house, we still hadn't found the cat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thorough
• extensive
• comprehensive
• complete
• sweeping
• thoroughgoing
• total
• full-scale
• systematic
• clean
• all-out
• out-and-out
• wide
• methodical
• general
• broad
• in-depth
• wide-ranging
• inclusive
• far-reaching
• global
• no-holds-barred
• unrestrained
• unhampered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• random
• haphazard
• desultory
• aimless
• cursory
• superficial
• limited
• shallow
• narrow
• hit-or-miss
• restricted
• slipshod

2

as in comprehensive

covering everything or all important points

an exhaustive survey of the nation's sexual habits

Synonyms & Similar Words

• comprehensive
• thorough
• extensive
• full
• panoramic
• complete
• inclusive
• encyclopedic
• global
• compendious
• all-inclusive
• in-depth
• general
• omnibus
• universal
• vast
• broad
• embracive
• cyclopedic
• all-embracing
• broad-gauge
• cover-all
• large
• all-in
• wide
• overall
• wide-ranging
• far-reaching
• sweeping
• far
• catholic
• inclusionary
• cosmic
• indiscriminate
• encyclical
• unrestricted
• blanket
• panoptic
• grand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limited
• narrow
• specialized
• restricted
• specific
• precise
• exact
• individual
• circumscribed
• incomplete
• singular
• sketchy
• patchy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exhaustive

Capability mapping does not need to begin as an exhaustive exercise. — Kevin Chan, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Gibney’s research is exhaustive even if his access didn’t turn out to be. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

But the primary focus of these chapters is the family’s frenzied social calendar, featuring exhaustive descriptions of parties, guest lists, and gowns. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026

The loan of the work to the British Museum follows a historic agreement reached between the two countries after years of negotiation, and exhaustive planning to transport it safely from its permanent home in Normandy, northern France. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026