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Definition of perfectnext
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perfect

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word perfect distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of perfect are entire, intact, and whole. While all these words mean "not lacking or faulty in any particular," perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state.

a perfect set of teeth

In what contexts can entire take the place of perfect?

In some situations, the words entire and perfect are roughly equivalent. However, entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing.

the entire Beethoven corpus

When is it sensible to use intact instead of perfect?

While in some cases nearly identical to perfect, intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state.

the boat survived the storm intact

When could whole be used to replace perfect?

While the synonyms whole and perfect are close in meaning, whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained.

felt like a whole person again after vacation

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 perfect
Adjective
Heather says the guide job was a perfect fit for her son, a natural people-person. Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 13 May 2026 Rhyne Howard chipped in 14 points and went a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line, showing toughness throughout the night. Christopher Harris, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Verb
Brembo fit its kit on to bicycles for Specialized's Gravity Team last year ahead of the UCI MTB World Series to put it through its paces and perfect it. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 1 May 2026 The pool is large and surrounded by windows that let in plenty of natural light; the same is true of the fitness center, featuring Technogym machines and a team of personal trainers who can help perfect your form. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfect
Adjective
  • Focus on what works, not what is ideal.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
  • The rare flower is known to add luck and happiness to those who adorn their space with its fortune, which is why the water bearer is the ideal sign to align with it.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Both reiterated, however, that the investigation was still active and the translations almost complete.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Her 18-year prison sentence was suspended, but her foundation says the conditional release is insufficient and demands her complete and unconditional freedom.
    Sarah el Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • From South India and Sri Lanka come emphatic roasts and stews, the pageantry of lamprais (a whole meal baked in banana leaf) and lacy hoppers, fermented rice flour pancakes with sides that slope upward as if in bloom.
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • The whole pitch falls flat if WWE just stacks the card with names already over — there's nothing to learn about Oba Femi's audience pull when his Raw run already has the building behind him.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Northwestern recruit Nolan Ramoley went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Brother Rice (21-9, 11-2), while Purdue Northwest commit Treylan Webster finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026
  • Denver finished 12-2 that season, reaching its first playoff game since the franchise’s founding.
    Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • The new commissioner faces the daunting task of improving the existing jail while planning for a world without it.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Jonathan Bond finished with five saves for Houston (6-5-0), which improved to 2-3-1 on the road.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Mushrooms muscle in for beef in a potent faux Bolognese; the hefty hempseed burger, crispy without and juicy within, is too tall to fit your mouth; and every piece of lettuce is flawless.
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • Shanto played an almost flawless innings and raised his sixth test half-century off 90 balls with a single to mid-off off Afridi.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • And amidst delicate stripes, elastic waistbands, and flowing silhouettes, pajama pants have gone from a passing trend to an absolute staple of the contemporary wardrobe.
    Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 9 May 2026
  • Just a force on the mound, and an absolute bulldog in terms of innings.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • According to our models, when a massive, Population III star reaches the end of its life, its core collapses into a black hole, but the resulting supernova explosion isn’t energetic enough to blow the entire star apart.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
  • That doctor said Foxx had a brain bleed that had led to a stroke, the comedian said, and his sister continually prayed during his entire operation.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Perfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfect. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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