Synonym Chooser

How is the word intact distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of intact are entire, perfect, and whole. While all these words mean "not lacking or faulty in any particular," intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state.

the boat survived the storm intact

When might entire be a better fit than intact?

While in some cases nearly identical to intact, entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing.

the entire Beethoven corpus

In what contexts can perfect take the place of intact?

The words perfect and intact can be used in similar contexts, but perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state.

a perfect set of teeth

When would whole be a good substitute for intact?

The words whole and intact are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained.

felt like a whole person again after vacation

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 intact According to the Whole Grains Council, whole intact grains usually have a shelf life of around six months when properly stored. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024 While the façade remains intact, interiors evoke a refined elegance with a palette of rich woods, creamy beiges, and silver and gold hues; sculptural accents; and a rotating collection of paintings and photographs by up-and-coming local artists. Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024 Investors hoping for the Indian growth story to remain intact would be betting on avoiding a sequel to the September numbers. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024 SpaceX has carried out six test flights of the fully reusable Super Heavy-Starship to date, but has not yet put the Starship upper stage into orbit or brought it down for an intact landing. William Harwood, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intact 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intact
Adjective
  • For wake-up routines, the sound kicks on once the Shine 300's light has fully brightened, while the evening routine will play your sound of choice the entire time.
    Nena Farrell, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2024
  • The right-handed, two-time American League All Star, has spent his entire career pitching in the Cleveland organization.
    Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Who wants a sharp pry sticking them in the leg the whole hike, only to have its thin, weird, undersized knife come up short on the most basic of cutting tasks?
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Even those folks out there who want to eliminate government waste still expect their payments and services to come whole and on time.
    Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • With restaurants closed, and a complete ban on having people outside of your bubble—let alone chefs—in your home, their entire business model disappeared overnight.
    Lela London, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Stage 4: In the final stage, there's complete cirrhosis.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The fields of law and insurance are extremely complicated for the layperson, with documents full of terms and concepts that may as well be a foreign language to those unfamiliar with them.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
  • This week will be full of economic releases ahead of the slower Christmas holiday week.
    Bill Stone, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This solution is also perfect to prepare for emergency power outages.
    Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Mackinac Island surpassed the competition in most areas, scoring over 99 points (out of a possible 100) in four categories and a perfect 100 for its bike access to parks and sports facilities.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Workers United, which has a bargaining delegation that represents workers at 525 Starbucks stores in the United States, said the coffee giant has yet to bring a comprehensive economic package to the table, while hundreds of legal disputes over unfair labor practices remain unsettled.
    Juveria Tabassum, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Advocates are pushing for either the complete overturning of the settlement or a requirement for more comprehensive remediation projects.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near intact

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on intact

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