Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

thorough

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of thorough

1 having no exceptions or restrictions
  • had thorough access to the files for her research
Synonyms of thorough

absolute, all-out, arrant, blank, categorical (also categoric), clean, complete, consummate, cotton-picking, crashing, dead, deadly, definite, downright, dreadful, fair, flat, flat-out, out-and-out, outright, perfect, plumb, profound, pure, rank, regular, sheer, simple, stark, straight-out, thoroughgoing, total, unadulterated, unalloyed, unconditional, unmitigated, unqualified, utter, very
Words Related to thorough

authentic, classic, genuine, real, veritable

constant, endless, eternal, perpetual, undying, unremitting

extreme, unrestricted

confirmed, habitual, hopeless, inveterate

extraordinary, frightful, horrible, huge, main, superlative, supreme, surpassing, terrible, terrific
Near Antonyms of thorough

doubtful, dubious, equivocal, qualified, questionable, restricted, uncertain
2 including many small descriptive features
  • thorough analysis of the current crisis in Asia
Synonyms of thorough

blow-by-blow, circumstantial, detailed, elaborate, full, minute, particular, particularized
Words Related to thorough

enumerated, inventoried, itemized, listed, numerated

delineated, specific, specified

abundant, copious

comprehensive, encyclopedic, exhausting, exhaustive, inclusionary, inclusive, in-depth, omnibus, panoramic, thoroughgoing

distinct, explicit, sharp

mapped (out)

descriptive, graphic (also graphical), picturesque, vivid
Near Antonyms of thorough

brief, compact, concise, crisp, pithy, short, succinct, terse

ambiguous, indeterminate, nebulous, nondescript, sketchy, vague

bird's-eye, broad, general, nonspecific, overall, unspecified
Antonyms of thorough

compendious, summary
3 trying all possibilities
  • a thorough search of the office that turned up no evidence of wrongdoing
Synonyms of thorough

all-out, clean, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, full-scale, out-and-out, thoroughgoing, total
Words Related to thorough

broad, extensive, far-reaching, in-depth, sweeping, wide, wide-ranging

general, global, inclusive, methodical (also methodic), systematic

no-holds-barred, unhampered, unrestrained
Near Antonyms of thorough

aimless, desultory, haphazard, hit-or-miss, random

cursory, shallow, slipshod, superficial

limited, narrow, restricted
4 covering everything or all important points
  • a very thorough textbook on respiratory disorders
Synonyms of thorough

all-embracing, all-inclusive, broad-gauge (or broad-gauged), compendious, complete, comprehensive, cyclopedic, encyclopedic, exhaustive, full, global, in-depth, inclusive, omnibus, panoramic, universal
Words Related to thorough

broad, catholic, encyclical, general, inclusionary, overall

cosmic (also cosmical), extensive, far, far-reaching, grand, large, sweeping, vast, wide, wide-ranging

blanket, indiscriminate, unrestricted
Near Antonyms of thorough

circumscribed, limited, narrow, restricted, specialized

exact, precise

individual, singular, specific

incomplete, patchy, sketchy

Learn More about thorough

  1. See words that rhyme with thorough Dictionary: Definition of thorough Spanish Central: Translation of thorough Nglish: Translation of thorough for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of thorough for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up thorough? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games