as in ending
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as in stopping
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in completing
to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done
we should finish the painting of the house by tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in concluding
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point
we'll finish the concert before dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in expiring
to come to an end
the three-day race finished yesterday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finishing
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Dec. 2025
The white gown in which Ada will open the show is still receiving finishing touches from young seamstress Christine (Garance Marillier).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Regaining the Premier League title is the primary ambition, while the Carabao Cup is winnable and the Champions League would be a glistening finishing touch.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
In Michigan, Saunders got a job selling industrial metal finishing products, driving 1,000 miles a week across the Midwest to pitch engineers and factory managers on how to use coatings to improve their operations.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, whose clientele includes Hailey Bieber, Christina Aguilera, and Adele, paints on a sheer glitter polish on top of a classic French mani and adds snowflake details for a festive finishing touch.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
High-end pans are usually made in smaller batches and with extensive hand-finishing after the casting process.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
Two hours later, Sayaka unleashed her final finishing move and was victorious.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
Seal it all together with a final layer of paste, or use a glossy finishing spray.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
Despite a stumble in their most recent European outing, their domestic form has been strong, and their attackers, including Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, bring sharp finishing and creative threat.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
If schedules clash, suggest a two-step approach, like meeting online first and finishing later.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
The move came despite the Falcons finishing the season on a four-game winning streak to end the campaign at 8-9 in a three-way tie atop the NFC South, though the Carolina Panthers won the division through a series of tiebreakers.
—Frank Nunns Oconnell, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Borrowers who leave college without finishing often struggle the most with loan repayments.
—Tiffani Jackson, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Witten played 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with the Cowboys before finishing his career with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
But after finishing first in the Smythe Division for six straight seasons from 1981-82 until 1986-87, the Oilers apparently figured that was enough.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
An undersized rookie on a two-way contract, Olbrich couldn’t do much more than bang bodies with Garza in the paint, finishing without a single point.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The Colorist Society has long been advocating for the role of the color finishing artist champions the new credit category.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The difference between the two fonts comes down to a few finishing strokes.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Dec. 2025
The white gown in which Ada will open the show is still receiving finishing touches from young seamstress Christine (Garance Marillier).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
The cheesy saltines add the perfect and unexpected finishing touch.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Regaining the Premier League title is the primary ambition, while the Carabao Cup is winnable and the Champions League would be a glistening finishing touch.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
In Michigan, Saunders got a job selling industrial metal finishing products, driving 1,000 miles a week across the Midwest to pitch engineers and factory managers on how to use coatings to improve their operations.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, whose clientele includes Hailey Bieber, Christina Aguilera, and Adele, paints on a sheer glitter polish on top of a classic French mani and adds snowflake details for a festive finishing touch.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
High-end pans are usually made in smaller batches and with extensive hand-finishing after the casting process.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
Two hours later, Sayaka unleashed her final finishing move and was victorious.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
Seal it all together with a final layer of paste, or use a glossy finishing spray.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
Despite a stumble in their most recent European outing, their domestic form has been strong, and their attackers, including Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, bring sharp finishing and creative threat.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
Shough spent three seasons at Oregon and Texas Tech before finishing at Louisville in 2024.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
If schedules clash, suggest a two-step approach, like meeting online first and finishing later.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
The move came despite the Falcons finishing the season on a four-game winning streak to end the campaign at 8-9 in a three-way tie atop the NFC South, though the Carolina Panthers won the division through a series of tiebreakers.
—Frank Nunns Oconnell, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Borrowers who leave college without finishing often struggle the most with loan repayments.
—Tiffani Jackson, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Witten played 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with the Cowboys before finishing his career with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
But after finishing first in the Smythe Division for six straight seasons from 1981-82 until 1986-87, the Oilers apparently figured that was enough.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
An undersized rookie on a two-way contract, Olbrich couldn’t do much more than bang bodies with Garza in the paint, finishing without a single point.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The Colorist Society has long been advocating for the role of the color finishing artist champions the new credit category.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finishing
Noun
-
Hetherman is the Hurricanes coach tasked with stopping — or at least slowing down — the Ole Miss signal-caller when the teams face off at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday with a trip to the national title game on the line.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This season, the Dolphins’ defense struggled in points allowed (ranked 21st), run stopping (24th), sack production (15th), and turnover production (tied with six other teams for 11th), and there’s a chance Miami might be searching for nearly half a dozen defensive starters this offseason.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At one point, the Badgers went nearly two quarters without completing a pass.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
One week after completing the biggest comeback in school history to knock off Western Colorado, the ThunderWolves set a new standard.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Chargers have been without top tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater because of season-ending ankle and knee injuries, respectively, and tried to make do as best as possible.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The team labored in home losses to Houston and the Los Angeles Chargers, with Mahomes ultimately suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the fourth quarter of that setback against the Chargers.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The recognition places Atlas among the most notable technology debuts at the annual consumer electronics event, concluding on Friday, and signals growing confidence in humanoid robots moving from demos to real industrial work.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Jacob Bethell, their great batting hope amid the debris of this tour, stood tall at the SCG to compile a sublime unbeaten 142 and extend the hosts’ inconvenience into this concluding fifth Test’s last day.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Other alternatives such as offering a seller credit to cover potential post-closing assessments or adjusting the purchase price to reflect the risks of such costs are also being employed.—
Michael L. Hyman,
Miami Herald,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Fubo and Hulu + Live TV will continue to be available to consumers under distinct brands post-closing, with Hulu continuing to be available in the larger Disney bundle.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Plant dormancy is a type of physiological rest.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
-
On Thursday, tight end Hunter Henry (rest), right tackle (Morgan Moses (illness) and linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) were all upgraded to full participation.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In September 2025, Politico reported that instead of a complete five-year farm bill, the House and Senate committees on agriculture might take up a series of smaller bills to extend existing programs whose authorizations are expiring.—
Christopher Neubert,
The Conversation,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Any five-plus veteran or player on an expiring deal, no matter how valuable to the team on or off the field, will be considered expendable if the right offer comes along.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Quarterback Bryce Young now owns the single-game franchise record for most passing yards.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
But where the Rams have really put opposing defenses in a bind has been using 13-personnel to open up the passing game.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Finishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finishing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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