entire 1 of 2

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

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 entire
Adjective
And spending his entire NHL career in a relatively low-profile media market with the Carolina Hurricanes also helps preserve his enigma status. Carol Schram, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025 The entire team will be seeking significant gains during the race to overcome this poor Saturday. Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025 Dominating possession for almost the entire game, SI finally broke through in the 47th minute on a cross-box strike from Amanda Hughes. Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 While attempting to listen to Baldoni’s entire six-minute groveling voicemail to Lively has practically become a TikTok challenge. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 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
  • Financing the whole amount could be challenging for the groups that rely on public donations.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
  • And then there’s Birdie herself, easily the highlight of the whole thing.
    Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Give your undivided attention when engaging with others.
    Bala Sathyanarayanan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • A day when people from all walks of life set aside their differences and focus their undivided attention on the prognostication abilities of a subterranean rodent.
    Andrew Torgan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The complete Shielding Suit, including jacket and pants, costs $5,290.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Fried was talking about 1978, when Guidry also had a 1.74 ERA in 35 starts, including 16 complete games and nine shutouts.
    Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • The form-fitting gown also featured a train that paired perfectly with the upper portion.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 23 Feb. 2025
  • World’s Best Bourbon Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS Tracing its lineage back to 1884, Old Fitzgerald has a long and distinguished pedigree perfectly highlighted in this beautiful bottle named the World's Best Bourbon.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While the total number of positions eliminated remains unclear as of Sunday afternoon, the firings appeared to focus on employees in the agency's centers for food, medical devices and tobacco products.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The weekend’s total box office reached $327.9 million, just below last week’s $330 million, bringing China’s 2025 cumulative gross to $2.77 billion, a 95.7% increase compared to the same period last year.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Essentially, this approach encourages leaders to recognize choices, understand their origins, and own them fully.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
  • California’s last housing bond, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2018, authorized $4 billion for various affordable housing programs, though the funds were fully allocated by the end of 2024.
    Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The same scenario occurred in February 2021, when Democrats had full control of Congress and the presidency.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The Knicks’ ironman has dealt with right knee swelling at multiple points this season, making his absence noteworthy—especially after a full week off for the break.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Entire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entire. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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