A Complete Synonym Guide — Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

‘Complete’ is an overused word that comes to mind every time we refer to something as a whole or in a finished state. However, repetition of the term can make your writing lose value and the engaging factor.

Therefore, you must learn the synonyms and antonyms to replace the word with the most suitable one in the correct context. This complete synonym guide will help you brush up on your word choice and make your English pieces more readable to the audience.

The Definition of Complete

Based on the English dictionary, the word ‘complete’ functions both as an adjective and a verb. Complete refers to something that comprises all of its necessary components.

It can also refer to providing everything needed to make something whole or full. The term is also used to emphasize the range or degree of something.

To complete anything implies bringing it to its end or a finished state.

As an Adjective

• Here is a complete list of groceries I need for this week.
• Our final project presentation was a complete disaster.
• You must speak and write in complete sentences in the academic field.

As a Verb

• They completed the assignment on time.
• You must complete the entire training to perform better.
• We need one more member to complete our volleyball team.

Complete Synonym — Exploring Words with Similar Meanings

Absolute

The word ‘absolute’ comes from Latin absolutus, meaning “freed, unrestricted” and the past participle absolvere. It refers to something whole and complete without any qualification or restriction. It could also be used informally to emphasize a statement or opinion.

• Your actions brought absolute embarrassment to the family.
• I cannot confirm the date of the meeting with absolute certainty.

Total

It comes to Middle English from the Old French, which dates back to Medieval Latin totalis and totum, meaning “the whole.” It refers to comprising or constituting the whole amount.

• It would be a total loss to abandon the project at this stage.
• We have a total of five ongoing deals that need to be finalized.

Entire

‘Entire’ originates from Old French entier, which stems from Latin integer, meaning “untouched, whole.” It refers to something as a whole without leaving out any part or element.

• We spent the entire night working on our project model.
• The entire city was affected by the flood.

Whole

The word ‘whole’ has deep roots in the history of English that was derived from various origins. The term essentially means having all the required components of something. It refers to something which is in one piece without any breaks or damages.

• I felt the whole idea was pretty abstract.
• The whole team was punished because of one member’s dishonesty.

Full

It has a Germanic origin and relates to Dutch vol and German voll. It means retaining or containing everything possible without any vacant space. Additionally, it suggests that nothing is missing or deficient.

• The auditorium was full to its capacity.
• The gallery was full of paintings and sculptures.

Complete Antonyms — Exploring Words with Opposite Meanings

Incomplete

The word comes from the late Latin incompletus, where Latin in- “not” + completus, meaning “filled, finished.” It refers to lacking all required or suitable components from something. It could also mean something not fully finished.

• The machine learning model training was incomplete due to a lack of data.
• You failed the test because your analysis was incomplete.

Partial

‘Partial’ originates from Middle English parcial from Old French from Late Latin partiālis. It refers to being related to or existing in parts only rather than the whole. It also means something not complete or full in general.

• We only received partial funds for the project.
• The flowers on this plant would only bloom under partial shade.

Defective

‘Directive’ comes from the Late Latin defectivus, meaning“imperfect.” It refers to something with a flaw or imperfection. It could also refer to a flaw or issue that hinders something from operating properly.

• Maximum products in this lot were defective.
• The factory had to compensate for providing defective goods.

Deficient

‘Deficient’ originates from Latin deficiens and the present participle of deficere, meaning “to lack, fail, be wanting.” It refers to the absence of an essential or required quality, quantity, or ingredient from something.

• The way you’re dieting, you will soon be deficient in iron.
• Your diet is deficient in vitamin B.

Lacking

‘Lacking’ originates from Middle German lak, meaning “deficiency, fault,” and Middle Dutch laken, meaning “to be wanting.” It refers to something inadequate or short in supply.

• Her performance was completely lacking the required facial expressions.
• Lacking knowledge is better than being arrogant.

To Wrap Up

This complete synonym guide outlines the frequently used synonyms of the term with examples to learn proper usage.

Try incorporating these terms in your writing to add variety to your words and make them more engaging for the readers. Now you have more words to describe something as a whole.

To add more terms to your vocabulary knowledge, always keep a Thesaurus close at hand.