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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
Oasis last released music in 2008 with what now stands as their final album, Dig Out Your Soul, before splitting a year later. Thomas Smith, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2024 Her critics rebuked her for that even in the final hours of Election Day. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
However, Byron's passage to the finals came under a cloud of controversy that has sparked a debate within the NASCAR community. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 The semis and finals of the 2024 playoffs are in Orlando on November 24th weekend. Todd Boss, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for final 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for final
Adjective
  • Weekly raw milk sales were up in May by as much as 65% compared with the same period last year, the AP reported.
    Natalie Daher, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Kidman has a close relationship with Balenciaga, having been named a brand ambassador for the fashion house late last year, joining Isabelle Huppert, Michelle Yeoh and Kim Kardashian.
    Hannah Malach, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Despite the April ethics reprimand, the City Council required the mayor to request permission from the council for certain ceremonial duties.
    Aaron Sullivan, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Regardless of the habitat type or geographical layout, bucks almost always bed with certain consistencies.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The tournament will use a double-elimination format until the semifinals.
    Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Audiences are clearly chomping at the bit to see which of the five remaining stars will take home this year’s mirrorball trophy, because Tuesday night’s semifinals grew over the 500th episode celebration the week prior to reach a season-high 5.2M same-day viewers, according to Nielsen data.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • But when the gaps between grades and test scores are this immense and consistent, parents and the public should not be fooled.
    Karin Klein, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Cutting-edge test yields diagnoses for some medical mysteries A researcher loads DNA samples into a biorobot at UCSF’s China Basin laboratories.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • The threats Hamas and Hezbollah posed to Israel allowed Iran to exert power across the region while holding Israelis indirectly at risk, which—combined with Israel’s deterrence in the form of its superior military power—produced a stable equilibrium.
    Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Underfoot, the flexible sole provides unobtrusive support and a stable, comfortable platform without drawing attention to itself.
    The Editors, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • After visiting Canada in February with wife Meghan Markle to celebrate one year to go until the 2025 Games, Harry returned solo on Nov. 17 and appeared on the pre-show of the Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League’s championship game, to promote the Games.
    Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The Green Wave’s 35-0 win at Navy marked their first shutout of a conference opponent since 1960 and set up a matchup with No. 18 Army in the AAC championship game on Dec. 6.
    Eric Olson, The Denver Post, 18 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Allegations of cheating by officers on a promotional exam that swept through the Los Angeles Police Department over the summer were found to be false after an internal investigation, officials said this week.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Both specialists can perform regular exams to detect eye diseases and prescribe contact lenses or glasses.
    Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near final

Cite this Entry

“Final.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/final. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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