END Synonyms: 441 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of end are close , complete , conclude , finish , and terminate . While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," end conveys a strong sense of finality. // ended his life

Q: When might 'close' be a better fit than 'end'?

In some situations, the words close and end are roughly equivalent. However, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. // close a debate

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

While the synonyms complete and end are close in meaning, 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: When can 'conclude' be used instead of 'end'?

The synonyms conclude and end are sometimes interchangeable, but conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). // the service concluded with a blessing

Q: In what contexts can 'finish' take the place of 'end'?

While in some cases nearly identical to end , finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. // after it is painted, the house will be finished

Q: When is 'terminate' a more appropriate choice than 'end'?

The meanings of terminate and end largely overlap; however, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. // your employment terminates after three months

end 1 of 2

verb

Definition of end next

as in to finish

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point let's end the meeting with a short prayer

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Relevance

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as in to stop

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end unfortunately, an argument ended their date, and they're still not speaking to each other

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as in to conclude

to come to an end a book so good that you hate to see it end

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as in to die

to stop living a great general, who ended on the field of battle

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end

2 of 2

noun

ˈend

as in ending

the stopping of a process or activity the end of hostilities brought general rejoicing

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as in limit

a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go I'm at the end of my patience with these little brats

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as in remainder

an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value a couple of ends of wallpaper were all that was left after we finished papering the room

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whole

as in goal

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish in this case the ends definitely do not justify the means

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as in tip

the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow a child's pair of scissors with blunt ends

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as in conclusion

the last part of a process or action the war wasn't yet over, but we were definitely at the beginning of the end

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as in perimeter

the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something the ends of his shirt cuffs were badly frayed

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as in demise

the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities Henry Hudson and eight others were set adrift in the bay in a small boat, and how they met their end is unknown

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as in portion

something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group keep up your end of the bargain

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb end differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of end are close, complete, conclude, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might close be a better fit than end?

In some situations, the words close and end are roughly equivalent. However, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When could complete be used to replace end?

While the synonyms complete and end are close in meaning, 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

When can conclude be used instead of end?

The synonyms conclude and end are sometimes interchangeable, but conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

In what contexts can finish take the place of end?

While in some cases nearly identical to end, finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When is terminate a more appropriate choice than end?

The meanings of terminate and end largely overlap; 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 end

Verb

Presented by the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council, this special celebration and parade begins and ends at Wilma Chan Park. —

Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025 With the first 12-team playoff ending, is the debate on how to settle the CFB national championship finally over? —

Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

Noun

The defense loses a bunch of key veterans, but first- and second-year players such as Moore, Shuler, defensive end Bryce Young and linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa are poised to take over. —

Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 The pump station was also at the end of its useful life and experienced corrosion due to water on the pump station walls, officials said. —

Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for end

Recent Examples of Synonyms for end

Verb

The Bears finished 27th in total defense, a sharp decline from previous years.

— John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Trend Micro finished its full scan in 38 minutes, very close to the current average of 36 minutes.

— PCMAG, PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025