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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

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
Monday night’s stabbing in DoCo — which left a 21-year-old man dead and one woman hospitalized — is a perfect example of why there should be more officers, Smith said. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026 After making a stylish appearance at the Saint Laurent show on March 3, Wilde was spotted out and about in the city of lights in another Saint Laurent look, perfect for an evening out. Meg Walters, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
From droppings-mimicking spiders in Borneo to a tiny gecko tucked under bark in India, these creatures have been quietly perfecting their disguises while science is only now catching up — one DNA barcode, one micro-CT scan at a time. Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026 Simply perfect rock ‘n’ roll, no notes. Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfect
Adjective
  • The small, walkable village of Tubac is the ideal destination for a day trip or weekend getaway, one with dozens of unique galleries that embrace a sense of place in the Sonoran Desert.
    Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • This is an ideal solution for technically adept web admins who prioritize cost-effectiveness, absolute control, and performance.
    Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Bahrain and Qatar have effectively halted production of oil and LNG, keeping output at a trickle to avoid complete shutdowns that could damage reservoirs and delay restarts.
    Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
  • No capsule wardrobe is complete without a classic shift dress.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The whole Irwin family was helping out at the camp except perhaps the one with the best hands of all, his sister, Ava, the reigning Southern Section Division 1 flag football player of the year as a freshman at JSerra who was busy at a flag football competition.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Fiber-rich carbs like whole wheat bread, whole oats, brown rice, quinoa, or sweet potatoes are great choices for breakfast.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Alajuelense returned the favor, beating LAFC 2-1 at BMO Stadium a week later, but that wasn’t enough to prevent the Black & Gold from continuing on the road to finishing runners-up to León.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Legislators craft viral moments for television and social media, sharpen partisan talking points and prepare for the next race long before the current term is finished.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Approach improves transparency and trust in autonomous systems Similar to the flight data recorders used in aircraft, the system continuously logs information about the drone’s performance.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Any efforts to improve your living space may need to be run by other people, like a roommate or landlord.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Russell’s flawless but natural-looking glam convinced me that Ilia’s Skin Rewind Complexion Stick is the product my everyday makeup routine is missing.
    Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
  • That’s when Little Marco spoke in flawless Spanish.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This is an ideal solution for technically adept web admins who prioritize cost-effectiveness, absolute control, and performance.
    Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 8 Mar. 2026
  • This is your absolute minimum savings target for your emergency fund.
    Christine Benz, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • From a practical perspective, that would require an accelerator significantly larger than the entire planet, such as on the scale of the orbit of one of the Solar System’s gas giant planets.
    Big Think, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Air Force officials said the purpose of the mission was to verify reliability across the entire strike chain.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Perfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfect. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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