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finish

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb finish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of finish are close, complete, conclude, end, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When would close be a good substitute for finish?

The words close and finish can be used in similar contexts, but close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When can complete be used instead of finish?

The synonyms complete and finish are sometimes interchangeable, but complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken.

the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

Where would conclude be a reasonable alternative to finish?

The meanings of conclude and finish largely overlap; however, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When could end be used to replace finish?

Although the words end and finish have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

In what contexts can terminate take the place of finish?

The words terminate and finish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

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 finish
Verb
Among the incumbent free agents from the Heat’s season-ending roster eligible to be signed elsewhere beginning on Monday are Alec Burks, Josh Christopher and Isaiah Stevens, with the latter two finishing last season on two-way deals. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025 Mark worked in the advertising industry After finishing high school, Mark attended Texas Christian University. Alex Gurley, People.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
The blue light-blocking readers have an oversized cat-eye shape and a textured matte finish. Isabel Garcia, People.com, 29 June 2025 The fit and finish of the InMotion scooter feels rugged and durable and far from cheap. New Atlas, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for finish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finish
Verb
  • The Detroit and Cleveland teams will play at the NBA arenas that currently exist, while Philadelphia is planning on a new building that will be completed hopefully by 2030.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2025
  • The correct prizes were sent at approximately 3:15 a.m. local time and completed by approximately 4:30 a.m. local time.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • That legal standoff ended so CBS’ corporate parent, Paramount Global, could get regulatory approval for its merger with Skydance.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 9 July 2025
  • Wayfair’s four-day flash sale ends on Friday, July 11, so keep scrolling to shop even more deals on outdoor furniture and decor below.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The state will become the second following Utah to stop public utilities from fluoridating water.
    Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • Without any consequences, this autocratic politician will continue to push the limits of his authority beyond the breaking point until someone forces him to stop.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • That ending is the most important scene and is very much in direct contact with the overarching theme that penetrates all three seasons.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
  • In addition, the Squid Game Season 3 ending certainly seems to allude to the format going international.
    Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • About three-quarters of the way through the video, the song screeches to a halt, as the video shows four men listening to a boombox.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 July 2025
  • On the conflict in Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasized his push for a quick halt to the fighting, and Putin voiced Moscow’s readiness to pursue talks with Kyiv, noting the previous rounds in Turkey yielded humanitarian results.
    Vladimir Isachenkov, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Hong Kong concluded its stablecoin consultation in early 2025, signaling a shift toward regulatory recognition in Asia.
    Elizabeth Rossiello, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The second season will conclude the story for Dream (played by Tom Sturridge), the show’s central character and part one will debut on July 3, with part two on July 24 with a special episode concluding things on July 31.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Taking effect in September 2026 and extending through the 2029-30 season, the new CBA was passed by a majority vote from both the NHL’s Board of Governors and the NHL Players’ Association, more than 14 months before the current agreement expires.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • Indeed, the executive order that established ORM and requires regulatory analysis expires in June 2026.
    Susan E. Dudley, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Bypassing Bagwell should begin, in earnest, a pursuit of 3,000 hits that will define the conclusion of Altuve’s career.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 July 2025
  • Emmy winner Lee Jung-jae reprises his role as Gi-hun for the Korean thriller's climactic conclusion.
    EW.com, EW.com, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Finish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finish. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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