incomplete

adjective

ˌin-kəm-ˈplēt How to pronounce incomplete (audio)
Definition of incompletenext
as in deficient
lacking some necessary part an incomplete puzzle that has several pieces missing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 incomplete Data on disease incidence and spread were hard to acquire and exasperatingly incomplete. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 The toe-drag was so precise that officials initially ruled the catch incomplete before reversing the call after Reid’s challenge. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Decisions are made under pressure, with incomplete information and a demand for immediate results. — Adam Annaccone, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026 However, these can be incomplete in telling the full story of work. — Sarah Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incomplete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incomplete
  1. deficient
  2. partial
  3. unfinished
  4. fragmentary
  5. fragmental
Adjective
  • The Dolphins might be talent-deficient for two years, especially at wide receiver and possibly tight end.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Many people are deficient in vitamin D due to limited sunlight exposure and few natural food sources.
    — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of deficient
Adjective
  • August's partial lunar eclipse will occur as Earth passes directly between the sun and moon during the full moon phase — an imperfect alignment that will see our planet's intense inner shadow cover 96% of the visible face of our natural satellite.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The restrictions pertain to parking lanes, curb lanes, and partial travel lanes to assist with the buildout and breakdown of the event, according to a city news release.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of partial
Adjective
  • Since then, inmates have reported limited hygiene supplies, overcrowding and unfinished phone systems at the 470,000-square-foot facility.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Demining groups say that without international support, Southeast Asia’s unfinished work clearing land mines and unexploded bombs will continue to endanger communities, maiming and killing people and slowing development for years to come.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfinished
Adjective
  • The story is told in a fragmentary fashion, with short paragraphs that are separated by subheadings.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Manchester musician’s preference for the fragmentary extends to his approach to genre.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Definition of fragmentary
Adjective
  • This would generate a cloud of hot gases and fragmental volcanic material, which could then move downslope gravitationally.
    — Erik Klemetti, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2011
Definition of fragmental

Browse Nearby Words

incompetents
incomplete
incompletely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incomplete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incomplete. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on incomplete

Nglish: Translation of incomplete for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All