final 1 of 2

Definition of finalnext

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
Aside from Buckley stepping off the boat, there were calls for Canfield to be removed from the driver’s role, which is essentially the team’s de facto leader, steering the boat and making the final tactical decisions. Andrew Rice, New York Times, 29 May 2026 In the final moment of Half Man, Ruben gets off of Niall, and sits on a bale of hay. Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2026
Noun
Celebrations erupted across Paris after PSG defeated Arsenal in a dramatic Champions League final, securing one of the club’s biggest achievements on the European stage. Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026 Georgia Tech baseball is headed to the Atlanta Regional final. Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for final
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
Adjective
  • Launched in Taiwan last month to the sound of drums and a traditional lion dance, the 21,000-ton civilian vessel connects the northern Taiwan port of Keelung with the island of Ishigaki, in southwestern Japan’s idyllic Okinawa prefecture.
    Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
  • That last line, even seventy years later, even after the seeming complete commodification of all dissent under the reign of King Algorithm, still reads as shocking, as liberatory.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Recently, the Urban Summit was instrumental in urging the Kansas City Council to approve an ordinance that banned the sale of mini liquor bottles in certain parts of the city.
    Freddrell Green, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
  • Everybody knows that there’ll be certain parts that are doing okay, but a large part of the society in North Korea is very poor.
    Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • If further proof was needed, Rojewski offered it during a Class 4A Libertyville Sectional semifinal on Wednesday.
    Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
  • There are no baseball playoff games on Thursday, but Cathedral Catholic plays at La Mirada on Friday in a Division 1 semifinal.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images SoftBank's plan to invest 75 billion euros in building AI infrastructure in France underscored the nation's status as a leading hub, but Big Tech's lofty energy demands will put the wider continent's grid to the test, analysts say.
    Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 3 June 2026
  • Lab tests showed that the plants without the active inceptin receptor failed to emit this volatile blend when exposed to either the synthetic In11 peptide or actual caterpillar oral secretions.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • These advanced technologies ensure the router maintains a high data throughput and more stable performance, even when in a congested network.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • An outcome would be more stable and adaptable behavior of the rover in granular environments.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Then the team, for unknown reasons, withdrew from the East Asian championship in 2019, and missed the 2023 World Cup, citing the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • Korda’s final putt of the day curled in the right side of the cup to solidify her second consecutive round of 67 at Riviera after beginning the championship with a frustrating 2-over 73.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Thousands of college students had their final exams rescheduled and their grades delayed when the Canvas platform was hacked earlier this month.
    Tarika Barrett, Fortune, 29 May 2026
  • After years of legal battles, Orthodox Jewish women in Israel can now take the official rabbinic exams.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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