final 1 of 2

Definition of finalnext

final

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noun

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
But at the same time, this is a group of players who coped admirably with the pressure of the title race two seasons ago, winning 16, drawing one and losing one of their final 18 Premier League matches, scoring 54 goals in the process. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026 Wiles barely could make the tight final left-hand turn that had tricked Monsen. CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
Cignetti let his players bask in the history for a few days, then the festivities surrounding the CFP final for a few more. Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026 Challenge winners selected from eligible entries in all 50 states will earn an exclusive invitation to attend the live final in Los Angeles on May 20, marking a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to witness the epic conclusion and be part of this milestone season. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for final
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
Adjective
  • In a decision filed last week in Fulton County Superior Court, District Attorney Fani Willis said there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute Patty Durand for stealing trade secrets, which is a felony.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The anticipated move would end a string of three consecutive quarter-point rate cuts, aligning with a cautious approach outlined by Powell last month, before reports of the investigation into his conduct.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The bill includes incentives for schools to lower the cost of a degree and to ensure that graduates meet certain average income thresholds, a nudge to help students attain degrees in fields that offer enhanced opportunities.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
  • The Los Angeles County Republican Party, however, cautioned against a rush to judgment in what is certain to be another highly volatile case.
    Madeline Armstrong, Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Arlington will host nine matches, including a semifinal, while Houston will stage seven games, and Dallas will serve as the tournament’s International Broadcast Center.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Aledo Elizabeth Griffin, senior G Griffin was a force as a junior, averaging 13 points to lead Aledo to its first girls basketball regional semifinal since 2015.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Its core business is semiconductor test systems, which verify that chips function properly and meet performance and durability standards before they are shipped.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
  • While the protocol was originally developed to demonstrate challenges that those on the autism spectrum have in recognizing the mental states of others, the test has since been widely applied as a measure of theory of mind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
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 shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Polk said the astronaut is stable but that diagnostic uncertainty in microgravity prompted NASA to err on the side of bringing the crew member back to Earth.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Treaties assume shared values, stable circumstances, and mutual benefit.
    Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Jared Verse leaned over the microphone during his Thursday press conference, dripping sweat from the Rams’ first full practice ahead of their NFC championship game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 25 Jan. 2026
  • The decision is a break from the president’s appearance at last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, which marked the first time a sitting president had attended the National Football League championship game.
    Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In a multiple-choice question on a recent final exam, Jeff Smith, a film professor at UW Madison, asked what happens at the end of the Truffaut film Jules and Jim.
    Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Later research clarified that while those who had passed the exams had measurable hippocampal growth, this was not the case for those who failed the test.
    Big Think, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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