plenary

adjective

ˈple-nə-rē How to pronounce plenary (audio)
Definition of plenarynext
as in entire
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it the delegation to the international convention was given plenary authority to negotiate a treaty in the nation's best interest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective plenary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plenary are complete, full, and replete. While all these words mean "containing all that is wanted or needed or possible," plenary adds to complete the implication of fullness without qualification.

given plenary power

When is complete a more appropriate choice than plenary?

The words complete and plenary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, complete applies when all that is needed is present.

a complete picture of the situation

In what contexts can full take the place of plenary?

The words full and plenary can be used in similar contexts, but full implies the presence or inclusion of everything that is wanted or required by something or that can be held, contained, or attained by it.

a full schedule

When could replete be used to replace plenary?

In some situations, the words replete and plenary are roughly equivalent. However, replete implies being filled to the brim or to satiety.

replete with delightful details

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 plenary Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame captured the mood among business and political leaders gathered at the opening plenary of the forum a day earlier urging Africans to stop accepting deal terms set outside the continent. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 15 May 2026 National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to serve the ICC arrest warrant, but dela Rosa darted toward a narrow stairway into the Senate plenary hall and sought the help of allied senators, who took him into protective custody. — Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 Popular Party deputy Cayetana Alvarez de Toledo is seen speaking during a plenary session of Spain's Congress, April 22, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. — Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Iran’s Deputy Defence Minister Majid Ebnoreza (L) shakes hands with China’s former defence attache to the USA Zhang Li after speaking during a plenary session of the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on September 19, 2025. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plenary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plenary
  1. entire
  2. whole
  3. full
  4. complete
  5. comprehensive
  6. total
  7. perfect
Adjective
  • Inside the hammam, an entire hallway is devoted to visually telling their love story through art and historic panels.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • And as much as fans want to overreact to one play, the position switch – remember, Proctor played left tackle his entire career at Alabama – as well as the jump to the NFL can’t be disregarded.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of entire
Adjective
  • Venezuela now faces a multi-year recovery following the twin quakes which have left whole regions of the country devastated and caused an economic hit equivalent to 6% of the country’s GDP, according to the United Nations Development Programme.
    — Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The two complement each other and round out the whole experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of whole
Adjective
  • Like during OpenAI’s tests, normal safety guardrails were removed during Anthropic’s evaluations to assess their models’ full capabilities.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • And yet many of us already have closets full of denim and still reach for the same few pairs—or single pair—week after week.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 31 July 2026
Definition of full
Adjective
  • The cargo vessel struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz north of Oman suffered a complete blackout, according to a report from the Marisks maritime risk management group.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Once their spring blooms are complete, Aggrey meticulously collects the seed pods from the clarkias, gilias and phacelias, processes the seeds and packages them for gifting before the subsequent spring.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of complete
Adjective
  • This enables comprehensive pre-arrival planning, reducing friction for guests and maximizing ancillary revenue for hotels.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • What’s New Think of this as a comprehensive refresh rather than an all-new model.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 29 July 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • Which is more valuable might depend on where AI is as a technology, according to Joe Tigay, portfolio manager for the Rational Equity Armor Fund, a fund that prioritizes total return on investment.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • In its simplest form, scientists can put a chunk of soil in a mason jar, measure how much gas is released over time, then extrapolate a total figure.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of total
Adjective
  • This patch of land to the west of San Sebastián feels like the most perfect place on the planet, while still being a 10-minute car ride from the center of the city.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Incorporating them into your wardrobe couldn’t be more seamless thanks to breezy yet posh linen and cotton-blend options that are perfect for the summer’s remaining heatwaves.
    — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of perfect

Browse Nearby Words

pledging
plenary
plenipotentiaries
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Plenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plenary. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All