COMPLETE Synonyms: 390 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'complete' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complete are close , conclude , end , finish , and terminate . While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken. // the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

Q: Where would 'close' be a reasonable alternative to 'complete'?

The meanings of close and complete largely overlap; however, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. // close a debate

Q: In what contexts can 'conclude' take the place of 'complete'?

While the synonyms conclude and complete are close in meaning, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). // the service concluded with a blessing

Q: When could 'end' be used to replace 'complete'?

Although the words end and complete have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality. // ended his life

Q: When might 'finish' be a better fit than 'complete'?

The words finish and complete can be used in similar contexts, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. // after it is painted, the house will be finished

Q: When would 'terminate' be a good substitute for 'complete'?

In some situations, the words terminate and complete are roughly equivalent. However, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. // your employment terminates after three months

complete 1 of 2

verb

Definition of complete

as in to finish

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done managed to complete the assignment with time to spare

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to complement

to serve as a completing element to the bird's beautiful song simply completes its appeal for pet owners

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as in to end

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point the well-attended concert completed a great weekend of arts and entertainment events

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of no payments will be made until the contract is completed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

complete

2 of 2

adjective

kəm-ˈplēt

as in entire

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it a complete deck of cards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in finished

brought or having come to an end your education is never complete—there's always something more to learn

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in comprehensive

covering everything or all important points will present complete coverage of the tennis tournament

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions he's a complete genius

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in thorough

trying all possibilities a complete search of the computer file

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor a riding school that will teach you all skills required of the complete equestrian

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb complete differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complete are close, conclude, end, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken.

the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

Where would close be a reasonable alternative to complete?

The meanings of close and complete largely overlap; however, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

In what contexts can conclude take the place of complete?

While the synonyms conclude and complete are close in meaning, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When could end be used to replace complete?

Although the words end and complete have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might finish be a better fit than complete?

The words finish and complete can be used in similar contexts, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When would terminate be a good substitute for complete?

In some situations, the words terminate and complete are roughly equivalent. However, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

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 complete

Verb

More than 213 women have completed the program, according to Barred Business. — Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 And in 2025, while 55% of third graders in Marlin schools were reading at grade level, just 40% were completing math questions at grade level. — Daniel H. Robinson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Daniels heaved a fourth-and-21 pass to the end zone — complete to Michahi Danzy for a touchdown. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 This means the submarine’s main structure is effectively now complete. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complete

Verb

Founder Marty Odlin told me the company had not finished developing sensors and methods to reliably measure key properties such as pH and dissolved inorganic carbon.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The two sides reworked Norvell’s deal in December 2024 after the Seminoles finished 2-10 in the program’s worst season in 50 years.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of finish

Verb

The project, estimated to cost between $160 million and $170 million, is designed to complement the Bloch Building on the museum’s east side.

— Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
States will also have a say, and sometimes that may complement or conflict with their own cities.

— Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of complement

Verb

The second was collapsing supermassive stars, which end their lives as supernovae.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
But little progress has been made towards implementing a deal to end the conflict that includes terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops.

— Reuters, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of end

Verb

While eliminating progressive programs, Walls said the state should fulfill its obligation to fully and equally fund all public schools.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The perfecting statement and requested cure The notice must explicitly state that it is served to fulfill the procedural prerequisite for pursuing the statutory civil remedy.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Adjective

Larsson has missed practice time and the final three preseason games because of his illness, and Smith missed the entire preseason after straining his calf during training camp.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
From elevating beds to expanding sections to sliding walls and even entire roofs, these 10 homes transform to get maximum use out of a compact space.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of entire

Adjective

The project had initially gone into development through Kapadia’s Mangata Films label, but received a big shot in the arm when Scam and Black Warrant producer Applause Entertainment boarded to produce and distribute the finished show.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
The paper presents PhoneBot as a platform others can build and experiment with, rather than a finished household companion.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of finished

Adjective

As reported, Moncler reprised its Re/Icons project that celebrates archival pieces, first introduced in 2023, adding a comprehensive ready-to-wear collection — a first for the initiative.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
But the regulator said none has fully acknowledged past debanking decisions or created a comprehensive program to remediate affected customers.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of comprehensive

Adjective

Popular at American Chinese or Cajun-style Chinese restaurants, the sticky-sweet chicken is the utter definition of delicious, luring weary shoppers into food courts to find refuge from the bubblegum pink sweatpants and ripped denim.

— Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
There’s a wonderful fraction of a second when the Villa fans in the Holte End have to adjust from impending despair to utter joy.

— Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of utter

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“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complete. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of complete

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