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

Work that would traditionally take five specialists months, Stanhouse says, was done by a single engineer in a month, with the final transfer taking just 47 minutes. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 9 July 2026 In the final tally, Danbury resident Michelle Botelho had one vote and Army veteran John Bucciarelli had zero. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026

Noun

For the men's doubles competition, the final comes down to Harri Heliovaara (Finland) and Henry Patten (UK) against Marcelo Arevalo (El Salvador) and Mate Pavic (Croatia). — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 10 July 2026 Diving will be held at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center in Pasadena, and the soccer final will be in the Rose Bowl. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for final

Recent Examples of Synonyms for final

Adjective

Authorities from throughout Southern California have faced a spat of e-bike and e-motorcycle incidents, including a teen who led Orange County law enforcement on a chase last month.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Prosecutors argued in a sentencing memo filed last week that Dugan violated her oath as a judge and put both law enforcement and the public at risk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of last

Adjective

Leaders of the state’s largest teachers union plan to focus their efforts on passing Proposition 3, which would make permanent an existing tax on certain high earners to fund schools and community colleges.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
And while China’s personal luxury market has contracted by as much as 5% in 2025, according to consulting firm Bain & Company, certain high-value items are increasingly popular in netizen lore.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of certain

Noun

Their itinerary includes eight matches in New Jersey, plus a quarterfinal in Miami and a semifinal in Atlanta.

— Meline Rosales Mike Winters, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Sciver-Brunt and former skipper Heather Knight rescued England from 23-3 with a 133-run partnership — the highest ever in a World Cup knockout match — to set South Africa a forbidding 170 target in The Oval semifinal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of semifinal

Noun

Stoking fears The test also reflected Beijing's determination to project power over its neighbors, analysts said, despite the scrutiny and alarm from regional powers such exercises almost immediately set off.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Shockingly, the letter seems to be pushing for a return to standardized tests by, in effect, arguing that a growing percentage of their students are simply too stupid to succeed, no matter what professors do.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 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

Noun

Between two championship matches and a Casino Gauntlet match, there were major stakes throughout the night that could shape AEW's summer of 2026.

— Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Williams pulls even with Steffi Graf for the most major championships in the Open era, which began in 1968.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of championship

Noun

Over that period, affiliates dispensed about 25% fewer packs of birth control pills and conducted about 20% fewer breast cancer exams than the previous year.

— Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found to have stage 1 of the degenerative brain disease CTE after a posthumous exam by Boston University researchers.

— Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

Definition of exam

Browse Nearby Words

finagling

final

finale

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“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of final

adjective

noun

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