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final

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective final contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of final are last, terminal, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When would last be a good substitute for final?

The meanings of last and final largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book
last news we had of him

When is it sensible to use terminal instead of final?

While in some cases nearly identical to final, terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When is ultimate a more appropriate choice than final?

The synonyms ultimate and final are sometimes interchangeable, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

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 final
Adjective
According to the Associated Press, Biden will not enforce the law on his final day, leaving the fate of the popular social media platform to Trump. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Jan. 2025 In its final days, the Biden administration has issued new rules to restrict Chinese access to semiconductors and imposed penalties on companies in mining, real estate, solar energy and shipping. Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
After clawing their way through their respective sides of a qualifying bracket, the two will face off in the tournament finals to crown WWE’s first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Lauren Coates, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025 The World Cup skiing finals will consist of competitions over the course of six days for men and women, including the downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom, according to the FIS Ski World Cup Finals website. Vincent Medina, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for final 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
Adjective
  • The House passed a bill last year that would have, among other things, required a majority of practicing lawyers on the commission.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025
  • What To Know The East Asian country posted 240,000 births last year, according to preliminary estimates, boosting the country's fertility rate to 0.75 from 0.72 in 2023.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The filmmaker dropped hints about certain archetypes that populate the movie, the musician channeling magic and the mystical qualities of twins, among them.
    Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Heavy rains and thunderstorms are now forecast through Tuesday (Jan. 28), though the sudden showers have also triggered flood warnings in certain areas.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Three of these little guys have returned to the conference’s semifinals after getting there last year — the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Minutes after Notre Dame beat Georgia to clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Penn State earlier this month, Tremaine Jackson’s phone buzzed.
    David Ubben, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Under the Constitution’s Elections Clause, judges cannot intrude on state lawmakers’ authority to regulate federal elections, but the high court’s decision did not set a specific test for determining when that boundary is crossed.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Rocket Lab leadership touted the company's track record with these types of test launches.
    Julian Dossett, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
  • The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • The shows provide a stable haven for pharmaceutical advertisers, still one of the biggest supporters of linear TV.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
  • View Comments While the US economy has been solid and financial markets stable as a whole, the BOJ must be vigilant to uncertainties surrounding US policy conduct, the report said.
    Reuters, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Two days later, Quillan then scored the overtime winner in the national championship game to crown Quinnipiac NCAA champions.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The City Section will host championship soccer games at L.A. Valley College and Pasadena City College. ...
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • What would be done about approaching Advanced Placement exams?
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Just 43% of students across all public school campuses in the city limits scored on grade level in reading on last year’s STAAR exam, according to an analysis of state test data released in August by the Fort Worth Education Partnership.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near final

Cite this Entry

“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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