final 1 of 2

final

2 of 2

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
MacKinnon needs 34 points in the final 25 games to have the two highest single-season totals in club history since the franchise moved to Denver. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2025 This adds a fair bit of context to the discussion of whether the Canucks stood in Hughes’ way, in terms of joining Team USA for the final on Thursday. Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
Rancho Bernardo appears in the finals for the first time since taking the 2015 title. Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025 Why charges were dropped More fireworks on the ice? Team USA and Canada are set face off Thursday night in the finals of the 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for final
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
Adjective
  • Two dogs that mauled a 73-year-old woman in Idaho last year had cocaine in their systems, according to pathology reports obtained this week by the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
    Laura A. Bischoff, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Nonetheless, Dallas teammate and former Team USA guard Klay Thompson failed last year in his attempt to switch allegiances to the Bahamas, the country of his father’s birth.
    Jamie Barton, CNN, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Taxpayer services workers, taxpayer advocates, and certain information technology workers are required to work through May 15 in order to be there through the tax filing season, Reuters reported.
    Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • At his healthiest, Bieber is one of baseball’s elite starters, but no one can be certain that version still exists.
    Tim Britton, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Both teams advanced to the conference semifinals but came up short, with LAFC losing to Seattle and Minnesota losing to the LA Galaxy.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Carter had a nation-leading 23.5 TFLs and 12 sacks in leading Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
    Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Mardi Gras is the third big test for New Orleans since the horrific Jan. 1 truck-ramming and shooting rampage on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter was allegedly carried out by a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran investigators say was inspired by the ISIS terrorist group.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The shows were also a test of resilience in other areas.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 26 Feb. 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 Vatican said the 88-year-old pontiff is in stable condition after being admitted to a hospital in Rome last week.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In Monday's update, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope was in stable condition.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • One of those is Baun, a key catalyst during the Eagles championship run.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The Vikings made it to the NFC championship in 2017 (Minneapolis Miracle) with a similar lightning-in-the-bottle QB: Case Keenum.
    Mark Puleo, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In November, the judge ruled that Lester was fit to stand trial after reviewing the results of a mental exam.
    Deena Zaru, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Lynda’s adoption fee includes her spay surgery, current vaccinations, a microchip, and a follow-up wellness exam with a VCA Animal Hospital.
    The Arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on final

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!