FINAL Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'final' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of final are last , terminal , and ultimate . While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress. // final day of school

Q: When would 'last' be a good substitute for 'final'?

The meanings of last and final largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped. // last page of a book // last news we had of him

Q: When is it sensible to use 'terminal' instead of 'final'?

While in some cases nearly identical to final , terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development. // terminal phase of a disease

Q: When is 'ultimate' a more appropriate choice than 'final'?

The synonyms ultimate and final are sometimes interchangeable, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible. // the ultimate collapse of the system

final 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfī-nᵊl

Definition of final

as in last

following all others of the same kind in order or time this will be my final order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in certain

having been established and usually not subject to change the wedding date is final

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

final

2 of 2

noun

as in semifinal

Related Words

as in test

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective final contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of final are last, terminal, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When would last be a good substitute for final?

The meanings of last and final largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book

last news we had of him

When is it sensible to use terminal instead of final?

While in some cases nearly identical to final, terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When is ultimate a more appropriate choice than final?

The synonyms ultimate and final are sometimes interchangeable, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

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 final

Adjective

In the final stretch of his coaching run, Pop became almost as famous for his preachy political lectures at the press podium. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Later in the show, The Sun’s Matt Weyrich runs through the biggest news and notes from the Orioles’ final week of the regular season, including Jackson Holliday undergoing wrist surgery. — Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

Of all those events, none loom larger than the 1966 World Cup final, when England beat West Germany 4-2 and Queen Elizabeth II handed the trophy to Bobby Moore — the only major men’s soccer tournament title England has won. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 Seasons typically end with a grueling final that can stretch across multiple days and resemble an adventure race more than a reality show. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for final

Recent Examples of Synonyms for final

Adjective

Democrats voted against that package, which Trump signed into law last summer, in part because of its steep cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.

— LISA MASCARO, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Each customer there will be gifted custom Rhode postcards and a Rhode metro card that can be used at participating Sephora stores in Paris to receive a skin care sample with any Rhode purchase while supplies last.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of last

Adjective

Earlier that year, the Department of Health and Human Services had attempted to freeze certain child-care and family-assistance funding for Illinois and four other states over alleged fraud allegations.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
There are plenty of barricades built with the explicit goal of keeping certain types of artists from access ing those rooms.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of certain

Noun

The only other meeting between the Bison and Hornets was in 1988, in an NCAA Division II national semifinal, won by North Dakota State, 42-20.

— Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Spain was dealt a shock defeat by Mali in its second game but beat Japan to top the group, then defeated Australia in the quarterfinals before a battling 76-66 loss to the United States in their semifinal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of semifinal

Noun

And Eisner, even late in his tenure at Disney, would attend test screenings, read scripts and offer detailed notes on the company’s films.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of test

Adjective

The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
The American Western drama is the latest of Taylor Sheridan's ever-growing Yellowstone franchise surrounding the legacy of the Dutton family from west of the Mississippi.

— Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Feb. 2023

Definition of latest

Adjective

The Nebraska researchers also found that hafnia becomes more stable as its thickness decreases.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
The parties see upside in a merger, according to the report, because both companies’ shares have been undervalued and People’s stable of lifestyle magazines like Food & Wine could complement the hospitality offerings of MGM.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stable

Noun

The Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series championships each have been punctuated by the Freddie Freeman Signature Moment.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
After Carolina raised its Stanley Cup championship banner in a pregame ceremony, the teams traded missed scoring chances throughout a scoreless regulation.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of championship

Noun

Opponents of ditching testing requirements argued that the exams are a key tool to uniformly predict academic success from students of divergent backgrounds, as well as schools that may issue grades differently.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Pawlikowski stayed in Germany for five years, from 1972 to 1977, dug in deep, and passed his exams.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of exam

Browse Nearby Words

finagling

final

finale

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Style

“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of final

adjective

noun

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