Synonyms of complete

complete 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to finish

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done

managed to complete the assignment with time to spare

Synonyms & Similar Words

• finish
• perfect
• finalize
• consummate
• accomplish
• fulfill
• get through
• polish
• do
• execute
• achieve
• perform
• improve
• effect
• carry out
• better
• enhance
• stick out
• carry through
• follow through (with)
• refine
• amend
• enrich
• machine
• ameliorate
• shine
• discharge
• round (off or out)
• meliorate
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• abandon
• quit
• discontinue
• forsake
• desert

2

as in to complement

to serve as a completing element to

the bird's beautiful song simply completes its appeal for pet owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

• complement
• adorn
• decorate
• enhance
• round (off or out)
• improve
• finish (off)
• better
• flesh (out)
• perfect
• form
• constitute
• make up
• embellish
• beautify
• enrich

3

as in to end

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point

the well-attended concert completed a great weekend of arts and entertainment events

Synonyms & Similar Words

• end
• finish
• conclude
• close
• wind up
• terminate
• round (off or out)
• wrap up
• put paid to
• close out
• perfect
• crown
• ring down the curtain (on)
• consummate
• suspend
• climax
• halt
• stop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• begin
• start
• open
• commence
• inaugurate

4

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of

no payments will be made until the contract is completed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fulfill
• satisfy
• keep
• fill
• meet
• answer
• make good
• comply (with)
• finalize
• redeem
• abide by
• finish
• perfect
• accomplish
• achieve
• execute
• conclude
• carry out
• consummate
• make
• perform
• effect
• bring about
• commit
• discharge
• bring off
• compass
• follow through (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break
• violate
• breach
• forget
• slight
• ignore
• disregard
• transgress
• pass over
• overlook
• neglect
• default (on)
• overpass

complete

2 of 2

adjective

kəm-ˈplēt 

1

as in entire

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it

a complete deck of cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• entire
• whole
• full
• comprehensive
• total
• perfect
• intact
• grand
• integral
• plenary
• extensive
• compleat
• unabridged
• exhaustive
• uncut
• maximal
• undiminished
• full-scale
• full-on
• all-out
• full-blown
• full-fledged
• full-out
• full-bore
• full-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partial
• incomplete
• imperfect
• cut
• reduced
• abbreviated
• diminished
• abridged

2

as in finished

brought or having come to an end

your education is never complete—there's always something more to learn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• finished
• completed
• done
• up
• ended
• through
• over
• down
• terminated
• concluded
• out of the way
• out of hand
• accomplished
• defunct
• realized
• over with
• achieved
• obsolete
• attained
• expired
• extinct
• compassed
• dead
• kaput

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incomplete
• ongoing
• unfinished
• continuing
• uncompleted
• undone

3

as in comprehensive

covering everything or all important points

will present complete coverage of the tennis tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

• comprehensive
• full
• panoramic
• thorough
• extensive
• inclusive
• exhaustive
• global
• encyclopedic
• general
• omnibus
• all-inclusive
• compendious
• universal
• in-depth
• vast
• cyclopedic
• all-embracing
• embracive
• broad
• large
• cover-all
• overall
• broad-gauge
• all-in
• wide
• sweeping
• far
• cosmic
• wide-ranging
• far-reaching
• inclusionary
• catholic
• blanket
• unrestricted
• encyclical
• grand
• indiscriminate
• panoptic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limited
• specialized
• restricted
• narrow
• specific
• exact
• precise
• individual
• incomplete
• circumscribed
• singular
• sketchy
• patchy

4

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions

he's a complete genius

Synonyms & Similar Words

• utter
• unconditional
• total
• simple
• sheer
• absolute
• pure
• definite
• perfect
• outright
• thorough
• very
• damn
• damned
• real
• thoroughgoing
• unmitigated
• profound
• huge
• consummate
• unadulterated
• regular
• endless
• blank
• deadly
• clean
• downright
• categorical
• crashing
• fair
• dreadful
• constant
• unqualified
• plumb
• stark
• genuine
• straight-out
• flat-out
• all-out
• out-and-out
• flat
• rank
• blooming
• arrant
• perpetual
• unalloyed
• authentic
• veritable
• dead
• bodacious
• eternal
• stone
• classic
• horrible
• terrible
• extreme
• main
• unremitting
• unrestricted
• confirmed
• extraordinary
• hopeless
• undying
• supreme
• terrific
• superlative
• habitual
• frightful
• inveterate
• surpassing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• restricted
• questionable
• doubtful
• qualified
• dubious
• equivocal

5

as in thorough

trying all possibilities

a complete search of the computer file

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thorough
• extensive
• comprehensive
• sweeping
• exhaustive
• total
• full-scale
• thoroughgoing
• clean
• systematic
• all-out
• out-and-out
• wide
• general
• broad
• in-depth
• inclusive
• methodical
• wide-ranging
• global
• far-reaching
• no-holds-barred
• unhampered
• unrestrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• random
• haphazard
• aimless
• desultory
• cursory
• limited
• superficial
• shallow
• restricted
• narrow
• hit-or-miss
• slipshod

6

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

a riding school that will teach you all skills required of the complete equestrian

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skilled
• proficient
• skillful
• adept
• experienced
• expert
• good
• great
• accomplished
• master
• practiced
• masterful
• consummate
• virtuoso
• masterly
• professed
• veteran
• educated
• crack
• gifted
• talented
• ace
• capable
• compleat
• crackerjack
• versed
• competent
• efficient
• able
• qualified
• effective
• handy
• trained
• employable
• polished
• clever
• old
• slick
• fitted
• fit
• deft
• taught
• refined
• workmanlike
• adroit
• dexterous
• effectual
• well-rounded
• long-term
• knowledgeable
• schooled
• sure-handed
• all-around
• tutored
• multiskilled
• multitalented
• habile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unable
• incapable
• amateur
• weak
• unskilled
• inexperienced
• incompetent
• unqualified
• unfit
• amateurish
• unfitted
• unprofessional
• inexpert
• inept
• crude
• unseasoned
• artless
• new
• inefficient
• ineffective
• beginning
• unskillful
• rude
• ineffectual
• would-be
• jackleg
• green
• ignorant
• raw
• primitive
• untrained
• untutored
• inexperienced
• rough
• unschooled
• untaught
• untested
• untalented
• unpolished
• untried
• awkward
• unseasoned
• clumsy
• ungifted
• talentless
• heavy-handed
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb complete differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complete are close, conclude, end, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken.

the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

Where would close be a reasonable alternative to complete?

The meanings of close and complete largely overlap; however, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

In what contexts can conclude take the place of complete?

While the synonyms conclude and complete are close in meaning, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When could end be used to replace complete?

Although the words end and complete have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might finish be a better fit than complete?

The words finish and complete can be used in similar contexts, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When would terminate be a good substitute for complete?

In some situations, the words terminate and complete are roughly equivalent. However, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of complete

Verb

When the Panthers got the ball back, Bryce Young needed only kneel twice to complete the 32-26 win. — Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

New forms of payment, including digital currency, are working their way into everyday transactions, and AI is beginning to move from informing decisions to initiating and completing them. — Andy Zosel, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Emily Cassidy, research associate at climate solutions nonprofit Project Drawdown, said composting offers the dual benefits of reducing landfill methane emissions and, once the composting process is complete, returning nutrients to soil. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Once the investigation is complete, the KBI will send its findings to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for review. — Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026