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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

Examples 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
Both teams are the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference and could be on a collision course for the conference finals come spring. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024 Mira Costa faces its toughest test of the season on Monday night in the 7:30 final, facing Oak Hills in the championship game. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for final 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
Adjective
  • Now, this area is the subject of an investigation as a potential starting point for the Palisades fire, which burned thousands of structures last week.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Disney and Warner Bros Discovery, for example, created a bundle of Max, Disney+ and Hulu last year.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s incoming Justice Department leaders are all but certain to drop the case once Trump has been sworn in.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025
  • This can be attained by reinforcing the presence of human reviewers to evaluate generative AI outputs, flagging certain content before such models are released to the public.
    IESE Business School, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In what was the most important moment of Evans’ collegiate career, the high school quarterback turned Penn State wide receiver hauled in a 38-yard touchdown pass from Drew Allar in the Nittany Lions’ 31-14 win against Boise State to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
    Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
  • On Thursday night, No. 6 seed Penn State and No. 7 seed Notre Dame face each other in the College Football Playoff semifinals in Miami Gardens, Fla.
    Tim Casey, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Texas officials confirmed Wednesday that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or bird flu) has been detected in Austin-Travis County after tests were performed on dead birds discovered in North Austin earlier this month.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025
  • This crucial detail is what boosts a weapon of mass destruction on the order of a few dozen kilotons to something like Castle Bravo, the first US thermonuclear bomb test.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 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
  • In addition to Strong's scrap and boatyard, the stable where Curly would care for Tommy's racehorses resided here.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Warframe is the model that the industry largely ignores, for whatever reason, despite being arguably the most successful and stable.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Two years later, Cowher led the Steelers to a championship in Super Bowl XL in 2005.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Here are the game times for the Divisional Round, conference championship games and Super Bowl LIX.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 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 20 Jan. 2025.

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