WHOLE Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'whole' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of whole are all , entire , and total . While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away. // read the whole book

Q: How is 'all' related to other words for 'whole'?

All may equal whole , entire , or total . // all proceeds go to charity

Q: When could 'entire' be used to replace 'whole'?

The words entire and whole are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added. // the entire population was wiped out

Q: When would 'total' be a good substitute for 'whole'?

While in some cases nearly identical to whole , total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered. // the total number of people present

whole 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhōl

Definition of whole next

as in all

not divided or scattered among several areas of interest or concern you'll need to put your whole effort into this project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor whole and happy again after months of recuperation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in entire

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it the puzzle isn't quite whole, but close enough

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whole

2 of 2

noun

as in total

a complete amount of something the landlord eventually refunded the whole of our deposit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word whole distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of whole are all, entire, and total. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

How is all related to other words for whole?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could entire be used to replace whole?

The words entire and whole are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

When would total be a good substitute for whole?

While in some cases nearly identical to whole, total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

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 whole

Adjective

Took a whole lotta tryin' Just to get up that hill. —

Marc Berman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 Your family’s efforts, across a whole generation, to establish financial stability, literally up in smoke. —

Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025

Noun

Your own health and career trajectory are also part of the whole. —

Gus Gaynor, IEEE Spectrum, 12 Jan. 2025 The all-instrumental album combines deep blues emotion, percolating funk propulsion, jazz sophistication and sheer rock power into a mighty whole. —

George Varga, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for whole

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whole

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