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entire

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word entire distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of entire are all, total, and whole. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

How is all related to other words for entire?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could total be used to replace entire?

The synonyms total and entire are sometimes interchangeable, but total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

Where would whole be a reasonable alternative to entire?

The meanings of whole and entire largely overlap; however, whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

Examples 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 entire
Adjective
One interested observer watched the entire process unfold in disbelief, wondering why the immensely popular, multi-multi-billion-dollar sport doesn’t seek a better way— a cleaner, more transparent means of selecting its playoff participants. Jon Wilner, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025 Longhorn defenders bracketed Smith the entire game to prevent big pass plays against them. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025 Putting Poeltl behind Anthony-Towns could give New York one of the best frontcourts in the entire NBA. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 Create a clean air space Another piece of advice is to focus on maintaining clean-air areas as opposed to an entire clean-air home. Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for entire 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entire
Adjective
  • Honigford played all 14 games (two starts) for Michigan last season, including the Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal at State Farm Stadium and was also selected as an academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2022.
    Bob McManaman, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2023
  • Carter started all 13 games last year and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention after recording 19 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 12 total quarterback pressures.
    Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Apr. 2023
Adjective
  • Your family’s efforts, across a whole generation, to establish financial stability, literally up in smoke.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Took a whole lotta tryin' Just to get up that hill.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • And since Friday is still the custom, Tyler had fans’ undivided attention once Monday rolled around.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
  • In a world filled with distractions, giving someone your undivided attention is a rare and cherished gift.
    William Arruda, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • These were once holy spaces for ancient civilizations, and each offers a moment of complete awe and a rare look into history.
    John Newton, AFAR Media, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Jenkins, meanwhile, has helped usher in a complete rethink of Memphis’ offense, one that has made the Grizzlies both unpredictable and effective and led what has historically been a defensive-first squad to a top-five rating on offense.
    John Hollinger, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • This wine—the crisp Pinot Bianco, the textured Chardonnay, the exotic Gewürztraminer, the elegant Pinot Noir, or the robust Lagrein—perfectly exemplify this region's quality and diversity.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The video — posted by TikTok user Belle Hesse on Jan. 7 — shows hands placing a perfectly cut, phone-sized piece of sturdy cardboard inside a black phone case with an opaque screen protector.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, Kansas City’s defense is incredible and Mahomes is a postseason beast, but Buffalo beat the Chiefs once this season, recording 107 more total yards than the Chiefs on Nov. 17.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The Texans went from 12th to 22nd in total yards, 13th to 19th in points per game and the fewest giveaways in the league to 11th most from 2023 to 2024.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • There are no fully functioning hospitals or schools in the area and access to water, power and basic supplies is extremely limited, despite aid flows into Gaza increasing since the ceasefire came into effect.
    Abeer Salman, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
  • But there’s still a ways to go before the facility is fully operational.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In July 2023, the elections division began requiring that those seeking to restore their voting rights in Tennessee both go through the administrative voting rights restoration process and either be granted a pardon or court order restoring their full rights of citizenship.
    Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The actress wore her brunette tresses in waves with full fringe, while her makeup consisted of rosy blush and a muted red lip.
    Hannah Malach, WWD, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near entire

Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on entire

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