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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 In 2024 in Miami-Dade County, housing for a single adult cost $1,892 per month, food $549, transportation $424, healthcare $189, and that's not an exhaustive list of necessities — the monthly total, factoring in additional expenses, came to $3,982. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 24 June 2026 Canales’ preparation was exhaustive, dipping back half a decade into Flores’ time as the head coach and defensive play caller for the Miami Dolphins. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 24 June 2026 The list of top-of-the-range technologies here, capable of forecasting every facet of life, is exhaustive, stopping just short of a machine that can predict winning lottery numbers. — Susan D'arcy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2026 Let’s really make this as exhaustive as possible. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhaustive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhaustive
  1. thorough
  2. comprehensive
  3. extensive
  4. full
  5. complete
Adjective
  • The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Platner’s top strategist, Dan Moraff, didn’t want to spring for a thorough background check, which can take weeks and cost around $20,000.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • What followed is a thorough defense of the show, centered on the program’s core free speech rights to determine who to interview and when.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026
Definition of thorough
Adjective
  • Since the warehouse fire is so recent and cleanup has just begun, Jegede said the precise impact on gardens can’t be measured until comprehensive soil tests are conducted in the area.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • According to the National Endowment for the Arts, which conducts the most comprehensive survey of the nation’s reading habits, fewer than half of all adults reported having read a book of any kind in 2022.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • But the projects often require extensive structural, plumbing, mechanical and redesign work that can make the project more complicated than building new housing from scratch.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • Canonization is the process through which a deceased individual may become a saint, or is confirmed through an extensive research process to be in heaven.
    — Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • The groomer parks in your driveway or at your curb, brings your dog into the vehicle and handles the full appointment on-site.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Huffman was 19 and enrolled at UC Santa Barbara on a full-ride volleyball scholarship.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of full
Adjective
  • Roupp fought to stay in the game and record the first complete game of his career, but at 104 pitches, Vitello went to his bullpen to seal the blowout win instead of pushing his starter.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • These days, a complete Wirkkala set can fetch upwards of $3,600.
    — Jessica Salter, CNN Money, 7 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on exhaustive

Nglish: Translation of exhaustive for Spanish Speakers

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