FINISHING Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

finishing 1 of 3

adjective

as in ending

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Dissimilar Words

finishing

2 of 3

noun

as in stopping

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Dissimilar Words

finishing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of finish

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

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

as in expiring

to come to an end the three-day race finished yesterday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 finishing

Adjective

As the clock continues to tick down ahead of the $875 million stadium’s debut, officials noted many finishing touches remain related to the venue’s interior but that the university will be ready by game day. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 This summer jerseys and track shorts officially dethroned yoga pants as the athletic trend du jour for fashion connoisseurs, with a focus on both comfort and style through elegant finishing touches. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2026 This tactical evolution, alongside exceptional finishing quality, underscores a tournament defined by strategic depth. — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 More finishing ability to complement their distinctive style. — Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 June 2026 Local artists were commissioned to add finishing touches, including Gonçalo Jordão and textile designer Thierry Larche, who collaborated on the property’s own azulejo (ceramic tiles) in the garden area. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 The buyer agreed to take the home fully furnished, purchasing everything from the primary pieces to the smaller finishing details. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026 Florists can also properly wrap flowers for safe transport and add finishing touches, such as ribbons and bows, to complete the bouquet. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 13 Apr. 2026 The difference between the two fonts comes down to a few finishing strokes. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Dec. 2025

Noun

Though some people still use traditional methods, most finishing is now done mechanically. — Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 The mill is prioritizing dyeing and finishing processes that can reduce resource consumption while preserving the visual depth expected from premium denim. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 That money will cover DI color grading, picture finishing, the master DCP and a custom six-minute AI and VFX sequence tied to what Subedi calls his AnI Cinema, short for Ancestral Intelligence. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026 Over the years, this service has evolved and was updated in 2025, allowing customers to select everything from the canvas and monogram details through to hardware finishing. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Her knee-high Gianvito Rossi boots added a sumptuous finishing touch. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026 Propped up by strong finishing, Tottenham were on 11 points at this stage a year ago, but soon reverted to their relegation-battling baseline once that ruthlessness deserted them. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Each piece is unique thanks to the hand-finishing in reclaimed pine. — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2026 The pressure of finishing games in the Bronx hasn’t seemed to bother Bednar one bit. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

On average, 83 percent of IFM students are employed within one year of finishing their studies, Romatet said. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026 Despite limiting the conference’s top rushing attack, FIU struggled to prevent Liberty from finishing drives, turning a promising defensive statistic into a glaring weakness. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026 Taking the pressure off finishing all the food on the plate can instead place emphasis on savoring the sensory experience of each bite. — Bryn Beeder, The Conversation, 1 Nov. 2026 Facts and figures Although the Big Ten doesn’t release an official preseason forecast, a media poll annually conducted by The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch had Wisconsin finishing 11th. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026 Sold as a two-year-old in 2006 for a record $16 million, the horse raced three times, never finishing better than third. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 Among racers finishing faster than three hours, men were six times as likely as women to hit the wall. — Gretchen Reynolds, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026 Among other issues — a growing injury list, protection breakdowns and trouble finishing sacks — the Chiefs now have a legitimate concern at kicker. — Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026 His 21-year run cannot be matched — 11 10-win seasons, 11 bowl victories, seven times finishing in the top 10 of the final Associated Press poll. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for finishing

Adjective

The question is whether the post-closing company can afford to do all of it while servicing that debt, integrating two enormous businesses, achieving the synergies its financing assumes, funding streaming and deleveraging on schedule.

— Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
In my experience, IP analysis also impacts post-closing integration assumptions around product and platform continuity, as well as revenue protection mechanisms tied to exclusivity and licensing integrity.

— Keegan Caldwell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of closing

Noun

Handle what genuinely needs attention, and choose a stopping point for the rest.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
To indicate stopping or slowing if your brake lights are not working, stick your left arm out the window and bend it down toward the ground.

— Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

Willis, meanwhile, was lights out in the period, completing 77% of his passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
The Buccaneers became the first team in 52 years to play a game without completing a pass — Mayfield was 0 for 3 in a driving rainstorm.

— Rob Maaddi, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of completing

Verb

As the company navigates fierce critics and a wave of communities outside the Atlanta area ending their contracts, Flock has been tightening some standards on its own, nationwide.

— Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Jones later threw an interception in the end zone from the Georgia 3, ending any chance for a miraculous comeback with five minutes to go in the third.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

Amtrak is concluding a program that invites travelers to share first-class roomettes with a companion for free.

— David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
Your soul-searching is concluding mid-month, backed up by plenty of receipts and evidence of what really transpired.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of concluding

Adjective

Willis’ two touchdowns went to rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas, whose return from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury provided a boost to the passing game.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
He is involved in the passing game as well as the fifth most targeted player on the roster.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of passing

Noun

To make that distinction, the researchers combined detailed video recordings with tests of responsiveness and recovery after disrupted rest.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
The whole house climaxes with a kaleidoscopic pièce de résistance at the top of the dome, where a large skylight rests, revealing an interplay of two sets of the red-orange ribs.

— Web Behrens, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of rest

Verb

Meyer said it would be complicated to extend the expiring five-year contract for another season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
For the second time in four seasons, Boone is set to manage the Yankees on an expiring contract, leaving his future beyond 2027 very much up in the air.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of expiring

Cite this Entry

Style

“Finishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finishing. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of finishing

adjective

noun

verb

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