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whole

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word whole distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of whole are all, entire, and total. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

How is all related to other words for whole?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could entire be used to replace whole?

The words entire and whole are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

When would total be a good substitute for whole?

While in some cases nearly identical to whole, total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

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 whole
Adjective
On Wednesday, however, senior Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen revealed another wild stat that sheds a whole new light on Kansas City's dominance this season. Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Because the truth is that for ten whole years my writing has consisted of a solitary project. Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
What came next was a whole of Avalanche excellence. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025 For context, Arne Slot’s side only conceded three goals via such means across the whole of last season. Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whole
Adjective
  • The Chargers’ all-gold uniforms resembled nothing more than those of the Savannah Bananas, baseball’s version of basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The all-weather aircraft executed a series of precise manoeuvres, including a hover salute, backward ascent, and vertical climb, before deploying jamming flares in a vivid display of battlefield readiness.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Use a simple ratio of 1 cup of fruit, 1 cup of greens, a source of protein, and healthy fat to create a satiating, balanced result.
    Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Thanks to her success, the celebrity chef has also been sharing her healthy recipes on social media and her Chloë’s Kitchen food blog.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Welcome to the ninth edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each Thursday, Anantaajith Raghuraman analyses the entire division through a specific lens.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Gottlieb is also known as the unwitting godfather of the entire LSD counterculture.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Sergio Attento recently earned a perfect score on the SAT, achieving a total of 1600, the highest possible mark, NBC 6 reported.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • They were ultimately booked on a total of 34 charges, 16 of which are felonies.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And while in an era where productivity and efficiency are more top of mind than ever, Dimon insists that giving undivided attention is still the ultimate sign of respect.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In the arms race for audience’s undivided attention, both single-player and competitive games have become their own self-perpetuating ecosystems.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Across the country—and especially in the South—plans are well in the works for Thanksgiving meals that will both satisfy and delight guests.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Over the weekend, the president fanned the flames of the trade war by threatening China with 100 percent tariffs over its imposition of export controls, only to insist, on Monday, that all was well with the bilateral trade relationship.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Yamamoto is also the first pitcher since Curt Schilling to throw consecutive complete games in a postseason.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But perhaps one of the most complete.
    Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With that in mind, here are a few specific spots in both countries that are on our list for maximum totality time and proximity to adventure.
    Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In Nacua’s absence, quarterback Matthew Stafford showcased the totality of weapons in the offense.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whole. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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