whole 1 of 2

Definition of wholenext
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whole

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word whole distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of whole are all, entire, and total. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

How is all related to other words for whole?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could entire be used to replace whole?

The words entire and whole are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

When would total be a good substitute for whole?

While in some cases nearly identical to whole, total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

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 whole
Adjective
Pulisic made the whole sequence happen, however, pushing the ball between a pair of defenders before poking it on to McKennie in the center of the box. Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026 And the city of Aurora began actively searching for a whole lot of replacements for the AVAC board. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Noun
Not just for Jewish community, but community as a whole. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026 Mehring said that, on the whole, the art alone represents the most significant contribution to public art in Chicago in decades. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for whole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whole
Adjective
  • That’s where these powerful all-weather Canon 18x50 IS binoculars come in.
    Chris McMullen, Space.com, 15 June 2026
  • Nike, meanwhile, has designed special all-gold boots for Cristiano Ronaldo that will be released before Portugal’s first group-stage match.
    David Betancourt, New York Times, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • While Pochettino said the substitution was purely precautionary, American fans will likely remain uneasy until Pulisic is back on the field and fully healthy.
    Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • Four hours after a meal, a healthy stomach has cleared all but about 10% of its contents.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Our entire family is devastated by this great loss.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • The company has been pursuing eliminating its entire legacy copper landline system across the state to replace it with advanced fiber optic networks.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Clark also played in her 13th game of the season, matching her total from last year during an injury-riddled campaign.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • The highest total as of Tuesday morning was just over 9 inches near Caldwell, Texas.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Some simply need your undivided attention.
    Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2026
  • Israel considers all of Jerusalem to be its eternal, undivided capital.
    Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • When South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena blasted home a penalty that leveled things in the 83rd minute and Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted at an ear-splitting decibel level, any thoughts of The Wave were well and truly forgotten.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
  • During the memorial service, hundreds of students from Utumishi Girls Academy sang a somber hymn declaring that all shall be well.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Janet agreed to pay over $8,600 in restitution and complete 150 hours of community service.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
  • But the call of the stage was so strong that Abdul-Mateen II made a complete career change in his late 20s.
    Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Eclipse chasers will travel to the path in droves, keen to witness a relatively short but ultimately dramatic totality.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 13 June 2026
  • For those who live outside the eclipse’s path, the ESA will share a livestream of totality from Spain’s Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre in Teruel.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whole. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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