whole 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhōl How to pronounce whole (audio)
Definition of wholenext
1
as in all
not divided or scattered among several areas of interest or concern you'll need to put your whole effort into this project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor whole and happy again after months of recuperation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in entire
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it the puzzle isn't quite whole, but close enough

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whole

2 of 2

noun

as in total
a complete amount of something the landlord eventually refunded the whole of our deposit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
But whether or not paying down that debt is feasible to do — let alone the most financially responsible move to make — is a whole other question. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 20 July 2026 The panels will be paired with Savant’s smart home automation, energy management, and whole-home controls to have it all together on one platform. — Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Noun
Dassen’s comments that Chinese sales will make up around 20% of net sales across the whole of 2026, point to revenue from the country increasing in the second half of 2026 compared to the first. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 17 July 2026 Each episode feels complete in itself, while still contributing to the whole. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for whole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whole
  1. all
  2. healthy
  3. entire
  4. total
  5. undivided
  6. well
  7. complete
  8. totality
Adjective
  • The Australian all-female punk band Body Type is a product of the continent’s thriving, incredibly independent DIY movement, which is, sonically, one of the most distinct subcultures in the world.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 23 July 2026
  • Former Rome all-state quarterback Aidan McPherson won his appeal Tuesday for eligibility at Thomas County Central, giving the 2025 Class 5A champions an all-state weapon to build on its 15-0 finish from last season.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of all
Adjective
  • But unlike the scramble to rescue coral babies a few years back, these corals were still perfectly healthy.
    — Alex Harris July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • This relative strength chart shows that whenever GOOGL outperformed the MAGS ETF, both the stock and the ETF tended to advance at a healthy pace.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • The Wildcats managed just two free throw makes in the entire Elam segment while KU took control of the contest.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • During the entire World Cup on game nights and eves, Miami-area hotels increased their revenue per room by 37%, compared to one year ago, according to CoStar.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Definition of entire
Noun
  • Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals to 6 inches through Thursday along the central Gulf Coast from western Florida through southern Louisiana.
    — MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Counting signatures on a separate support letter written by non-STEM faculty, a total of about 3,300 professors are calling for a reinstatement of standardized testing.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of total
Adjective
  • And that, the imperfections of both these teams, and the sense that absolutely anything could happen in Atlanta, is another reason to think that England versus Argentina — at 3pm ET (8pm BST) on Wednesday — should get your undivided attention.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Each year when Wimbledon rolls around, tennis fans crane their necks and watch their TV screens with undivided attention for a glance at the Royal Box, anxiously awaiting if Kate Middleton will be in attendance.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Definition of undivided
Adjective
  • When complaint becomes habitual, one’s attention might automatically drift toward problems; the neural path is well trod.
    — James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • When South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena blasted home a penalty that leveled things in the 83rd minute and Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted at an ear-splitting decibel level, any thoughts of The Wave were well and truly forgotten.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Definition of well
Adjective
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s third career complete game was the highlight of the win in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Sunday.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • The robots perform a complete workflow, including collecting materials, placing components with precision, interacting with inspection equipment and returning finished products.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026
Definition of complete
Noun
  • The path of totality — the moon’s dark shadow — will cross eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, from where the sun’s corona will become visible, if skies are clear, for up to 2 minutes 18 seconds.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Iceland has fewer lodging hubs within the path of totality, which crosses Reykjavik, the Reykjanes Peninsula, Snæfellsnes, and part of the Westfjords.
    — Stefanie Waldek, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
Definition of totality

Phrases Containing whole

Browse Nearby Words

who's whos
whole
wholehearted
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Cite this Entry

“Whole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whole. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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