end 1 of 2

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as in to finish
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point let's end the meeting with a short prayer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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end

2 of 2

noun

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as in remainder
an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value a couple of ends of wallpaper were all that was left after we finished papering the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in tip
the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow a child's pair of scissors with blunt ends

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb end differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of end are close, complete, conclude, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might close be a better fit than end?

In some situations, the words close and end are roughly equivalent. However, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When could complete be used to replace end?

While the synonyms complete and end are close in meaning, complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken.

the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

When can conclude be used instead of end?

The synonyms conclude and end are sometimes interchangeable, but conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

In what contexts can finish take the place of end?

While in some cases nearly identical to end, finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When is terminate a more appropriate choice than end?

The meanings of terminate and end largely overlap; however, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

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 end
Verb
With Jackson pitching in the eighth, Aaron Judge then tied the game at three with a two-out, RBI single that saw Trent Grisham get thrown out at third to end the inning. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025 In his latest Oval Office event this week, Trump ambushed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa — who once served as Nelson Mandela’s chief negotiator during talks to end White minority rule — with false claims about White South African farmers being victims of genocide. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Noun
Milestone inspections were supposed to be completed by the end of 2024 for certain older buildings that are three stories or higher. News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025 Chelsea Gray added a pair of free throws to give Vegas a 30-point lead less than two minutes into the half, and the Aces were emptying their bench by the end of the third quarter. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for end
Recent Examples of Synonyms for end
Verb
  • That Walker finished the entire seven-game trip 4-for-27 furthered the thought.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 2025
  • On June 18, 1975, days after finishing eighth grade, Zetterower and Schreiber got into a white van with the two men in Hollywood, Florida, police said.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The chase reportedly ended when Buckley wrecked near the intersection of Watts and McAlister streets, an area of mostly forest about 1 1/2 miles southeast of where Buckley was first stopped.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2025
  • The former analyst ends up becoming a critical new addition to the gang in their mission to stop the Entity from destroying the world.
    EW.com, EW.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • As the in-person portion of this year’s milestone edition concludes, Animayo continues to cement its reputation as a global hub for creative innovation, storytelling, and visual excellence.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 29 May 2025
  • The court concluded that long-standing trade deficits do not constitute a sudden or extraordinary national emergency.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • About 200 of those died in crashes that occurred on Chicago expressways, records show.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • The younger Irsay, who died last week at the age of 65, turned out to be the near opposite of his father.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • The Cheers finale carves out happy endings for several of its cast members.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
  • My ending was harmonizing the situation of the movie, that the family is coming together at the end, and Laura is part of the family and wants to go back to the family.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Conservative border hawks have long blamed Flores for the rise in family migration, pointing out that smugglers often exploit the agreement’s 20-day detention limit for children to secure quick release for entire families.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 23 May 2025
  • Summary True balance isn't found in the middle ground, but by pushing your limits.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Adding someone as a joint owner to your account or creating a remainder interest in your property is a gift.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Just four songs in, Tesfaye’s failing voice necessitated the cancelation of the gig’s remainder.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
  • Those goals were just the fourth and fifth in 14 games this spring.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 26 May 2025
  • The goal is to haul Ford vehicles from the Kentucky Truck Plant to dealerships anywhere in the nation.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“End.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/end. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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