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
China’s passenger car exports could grow by 30% to 50% for the whole of 2026 from a year ago, said Stephen Chan, an analyst at S&P Global Ratings. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 And that’s what the whole [John] Cornyn–versus–[Ken] Paxton race has been about. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 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 ship was built in 1991 and most recently belonged to the formerly defunct but now reborn luxury line Crystal Cruises; Lindblad acquired the vessel in 2021 and decreased its capacity from 62 to 48 passengers in 26 all-suite accommodations.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • There are plenty of classics to choose from, including this rich-looking top-handle bag and this all-white shoulder bag.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 10 July 2026
Definition of all
Adjective
  • Each format layers protein with fiber and healthy fats, which helps stretch a small meal into real nutrition.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 15, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Such tests are not recommended for cognitively healthy people, but specialists can use them in people with signs of mild cognitive impairment or more advanced dementia.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • The acquisition also brings the entire publishing catalog of genre-defining bluesman John Lee Hooker fully under BMG for the first time, following a deal in 2022 when BMG co-acquired the rights, with Fuji Music Group, from Hooker’s estate.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Then the dominoes start falling across the entire organization.
    — Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of entire
Noun
  • Rainfall totals could climb into the double-digits in areas hit repeatedly Wednesday since rain began there earlier this week.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Collins has not yet reported his latest fundraising totals for the quarter.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of total
Adjective
  • 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
  • McCart Avenue from McPherson Boulevard to Twin Leaf Drive will be constructed as a two-lane undivided road.
    — Emily Holshouser July 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 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 totality of Clark’s effort made White react more like a fan than a coach.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • The moon—hidden in the daytime sky until its silhouette cuts a narrow curve at the sun’s edge—slowly slides across the disk of our star toward totality, the time when the moon completely blocks the sun.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of whole for Spanish Speakers

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