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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
What Happens Next The search for the missing passengers continues, with concerns mounting that the final death toll could rise significantly. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024 Monetary policy Policymakers at the European Central Bank announced their fourth and final rate cut of the year last Thursday. Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
This time, though, a spot in the conference finals was at stake. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024 Danny Turns Up The Heat! 18 hr 4 min ago Ahead of his final performance of the night, Danny and his partner Witney put in the work to ensure his spot in the finals. Esther Kang, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for final 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
Adjective
  • This is a more than 2% increase since last Christmas, a Zillow news release states.
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Just last year, Gellar was opposed to the idea of revisiting Buffy’s world.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • By now, barefoot luxury has become a byword for laidback resort life of a certain level, but never has the concept been more faithfully embodied than at Alphonse Island.
    Nina-Sophia Miralles, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • These objections aside, the simple fact is that no one can say for certain what Trump’s mass deportation plan will look like because no specifics have been revealed, with the administration instead filling the void with dangerous rhetoric.
    David Gilbert, WIRED, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The Tigers are 1-4 in semifinals, beginning with a 1990 loss to Cardinal Gibbons.
    Staff Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Even newish presenter Alison Hammond, who has found her footing as the sunny circle to veteran Noel Fielding’s offbeat line, turned personal a moment, delivering a pep talk about positive thinking to keep pediatric nurse Georgie Grasso from quitting the semifinal.
    Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Still, the listing marked a fresh test of market sentiment towards China’s beauty segment, and the company passed it with flying colors.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Asia, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Children exposed to lead may struggle in school, score lower on tests, and even incur higher costs for special education programs or, eventually, the justice system.
    Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 10 Dec. 2024
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
  • Emotional readiness might include feeling stable, curious about new opportunities or prepared for structured routines.
    Diane Winiarski, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Generally speaking, hormonal imbalances don’t lead to stable emotions.
    Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The dynamic rushing attack, which uses misdirection and some of the more creative play designs in college football, has led Army to its most successful season in years – including its first conference championship in school history.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Is there going to be more of an increase and delivery on the championship series, the super fights, is there a chance that the regular season will be expanded in any way?
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Both wore orange jumpsuits and handcuffs and sat next to their attorneys during the exam.
    Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The impact should be immediately observable in the exam's attempt rate and pass rate.
    Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near final

Cite this Entry

“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on final

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