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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 Unlike some other test wraps, this camo does a much more thorough job of obscuring the truck's lines and overall shape. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2026 Use sharp, clean garden pruners to remove about one-third of the height of the plant in the early morning after a thorough watering. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026 The John Carroll School has thorough policies and safeguarding protocols in place to protect our students. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Tap the Cleaning Path Preferences tab to choose between Full Coverage Mode, which provides the most thorough cleaning coverage for square and rectangular pools, and Edge Guard Mode, designed for pools with protruding edges (coping). — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 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
  • Howard County initially approved permits for the project but revoked them in February 2026, when construction was nearly complete.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, no proper French meal would be complete without wine.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of complete
Adjective
  • On the other hand, detailed reviews of individual high-cost claims frequently reveal inefficient areas in an employer’s health plan.
    — Bruce Roffe, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a 7-inch smart TFT display supporting turn-by-turn navigation and detailed trip graphs that map speed, elevation, and battery state of charge against route data.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • Bannister's extensive career began with Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm in 1975, leading to their legendary Phantasm collaboration.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Dozens of people have died in Riselralda, a department in the heart of the Coffee Axis, and cities throughout the region have reported extensive damage.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • Police Chief Alex Gammelgard said the decision follows a comprehensive review of the technology and its future, as well as conversations with community members and changes in how ALPR systems are being used by government agencies.
    — Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But Abbott’s data center pause offers false expectations of a comprehensive audit.
    — John Kostyack, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • The task seemed like a simple one for a digital agent, as the booking form was online.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Mungiu refuses to supply easy answers or simple paths to identification in this compelling provocation, which poses unresolvable questions to viewers about our biases and presumptions.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • Similarly, loading up the XI for the opener away to Fulham with players who have enjoyed the benefits of a full pre-season makes sense, too.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Regal Cinemas, for example, has 4DX auditoriums with multisensory enhancements that bring the film world into the real world with full-body immersion synced up with the on-screen action.
    — Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of full
Adjective
  • From the Great Hall draped in banners honouring legends from the past that welcomes fans through to the exhaustive Yankee Museum, reminders of the team’s glorious past are everywhere.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • The Netflix film also highlights the FBI’s expansive, exhaustive search for Kaczynski, led by agent Joanne Miller, played by Shailene Woodley.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of exhaustive
Adjective
  • The letter gave the council 30 days from July 15 to respond with an unconditional commitment, or said the city risks legal action from the resident coalition.
    — Victoria Le, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In the film, what matters is not to reduce him to his trans identity, but to observe how he is received with unconditional love.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 7 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of thorough for Spanish Speakers

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