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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
By sunset, the commentator finishes his shouting for the day and the bulls are walked home or loaded back up onto trucks and spirited away. Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 11 July 2025 The Heat finished 21st in offensive rating last season, ninth in defensive rating. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 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 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
  • This would be a tripling of the productivity of the workers if all tasks can be completed with the use of genAI, the researcher estimate.
    Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Trump also described battlefield losses and touted his credentials as a leader who can end wars.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The toddler stopped crying about 15 minutes after she had been put down for a nap.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • Such as when our yellow Lab Frank couldn’t stop wagging his tail while digging a hole.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 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 judge also concluded that the balance of hardships favors the imposition of an injunction.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, the executive order that established ORM and requires regulatory analysis expires in June 2026.
    Susan E. Dudley, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • China had postponed the conclusion of the cognac probe twice, as the two sides tried to resolve the alcohol and EV spats, among others.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 4 July 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Finish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finish. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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