thorough

adjective

ˈthər-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce thorough (audio)
Definition of thoroughnext
1
as in complete
having no exceptions or restrictions had thorough access to the files for her research

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detailed
including many small descriptive features thorough analysis of the current crisis in Asia

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in extensive
trying all possibilities a thorough search of the office that turned up no evidence of wrongdoing

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4
as in comprehensive
covering everything or all important points a very thorough textbook on respiratory disorders

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 thorough Giu, however, is not as gullible as the men who work for him and gets himself to the hospital for a thorough medical. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2026 However, according to Thomason, streamlining the CEQA process for longer projects would likely result in less thorough environmental reviews across the board. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Medical experts say a thorough screening is critical to preventing deaths. — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Most importantly, don’t be afraid to advocate for a thorough skin exam. — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thorough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorough
  1. complete
  2. detailed
  3. extensive
  4. comprehensive
  5. simple
  6. full
  7. exhaustive
  8. unconditional
Adjective
  • The hierarchy have applied a couple of touch-ups here and there, adding Germany full-back Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari, who had an impressive World Cup up front for Morocco, but this is a near-complete team.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Lions controlled the game from start to finish, putting in one of their most complete performances of the season while keeping a dangerous San Diego side from threatening.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of complete
Adjective
  • Court transcripts that include detailed Chinese testimony are rare, in part because discriminatory testimony laws kept Chinese silent in most court proceedings for decades.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
  • There is no blueprint or detailed design for the $8 million project yet.
    — Veronica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • All require extensive discussion which would bring up a multitude of additional questions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Fault-tolerant machines require extensive error correction, which adds more hardware and control requirements.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • China’s grain output reached a record 715 million tons in 2025, while national plans call for increasing comprehensive grain production capacity to about 725 million tons by 2030.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In May, Raman announced a comprehensive Palisades recovery plan that touched on many of the demands fire survivors had been voicing for more than a year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • Underpinning this assessment is the fact that disagreements between the two nations have gradually expanded beyond simple tariff disputes.
    — , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In simple terms, cherry juice targets the muscle inflammation caused by exercise, known as oxidative stress.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • Neither the names of the nominees nor how many seats Oasis sought could be learned, but to gain full control of the company’s board would require it to nominate five directors.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The only men were the mayor, the three members of town council, the priest from the Catholic church, Father Michael, and the reverend from the Baptist church, as well as a man with a balding head and a full moustache, his suit pressed and clean.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of full
Adjective
  • But the primary focus of these chapters is the family’s frenzied social calendar, featuring exhaustive descriptions of parties, guest lists, and gowns.
    — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The loan of the work to the British Museum follows a historic agreement reached between the two countries after years of negotiation, and exhaustive planning to transport it safely from its permanent home in Normandy, northern France.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of exhaustive
Adjective
  • Congressional leaders in both parties are pushing to lock in long-term, unconditional military commitments to Israel.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The singer’s niece, Lainey Mae Parton, shared an emotional tribute after her grandmother’s burial, remembering the country legend as a source of unconditional love and support.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of unconditional

Browse Nearby Words

thorny
thorough
thoroughbred
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Cite this Entry

“Thorough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorough. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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