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 There is no doubt that Secretary Noem’s decision was within the plenary discretion of the executive branch to make, in addition to being the right call on policy grounds given the disastrous results of Biden’s non-enforcement of immigration law. The Editors, National Review, 20 May 2025 The event’s security corralled guests — billionaires and junior consultants alike — into the plenary to wait in suspense while the Saudi and American leaders held their meetings. Natasha Turak, CNBC, 14 May 2025 Down a long hall is the Youth Leadership Council, a plenary of teens who brainstorm ideas for these Wednesday gatherings. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025 The opening plenary also includes a panel moderated by Jessica Nabongo—the first Black woman to visit every country—with activist Karen Washington and chef Mashama Bailey. Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plenary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plenary
Adjective
  • Musk ox has long been a staple in Greenlandic kitchens, but the beef on board is sourced from the only cattle farmer in the entire country, located in the southern town of Narsaq.
    Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
  • After just a few months on the job, Bondi claimed her anti-fentanyl operations saved 258 million lives—a number that is roughly three-quarters of the entire U.S. population.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Was Justin Bieber pulling a long con on us this whole time?
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 July 2025
  • By linking your biomarkers to stats that relate to your daily behaviours, the whole blood testing process can come across more useful, more actionable.
    Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The proof relied on the same commonsense assumption that Paul and his colleagues had made decades earlier: Algorithms can’t store new data in space that’s already full.
    Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 13 July 2025
  • Thomasville is full of Queen Anne and Victorian architecture and serves as a quiet weekend retreat for lovers of architecture, gardens, and good food.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Check out our complete list of the Best Prime Day TV deals for more recommendations.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
  • The injury was severe -- a complete break across her femur with multiple fragments.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • At the moment, SiriusXM car and streaming plans start at $9.99 per month, going up to $25 per month for its most comprehensive offering.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
  • Programs can leverage these capabilities to look at other sources of insider threat (e.g., fraud, IP theft, etc.) in an integrated and comprehensive way.
    Control Risks, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • In total, the portfolio of teams is worth more than $21 billion, finds Ozanian.
    Alex Sherman, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • Świątek may be surprised to be here, but Anisimova must be in total shock.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • There's a wealth of options these days, from little soft-sided coolers perfect for a day trip to heavy-duty, high-performance wheeled coolers with ice retention times that seem to defy the sun—like our top pick, the Yeti Tundra Haul ($450).
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 20 July 2025
  • In the post’s third slide, Mahomes posed alongside her husband Patrick Mahomes, and their two children, Sterling and Bronze, while wearing a plain T-shirt, black shorts, and a fuss-free crossbody bag perfect for days spent chasing little ones.
    Averi Baudler, People.com, 20 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Plenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plenary. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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!