end 1 of 2

verb

Definition of endnext
1
as in to finish
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point let's end the meeting with a short prayer

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2
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end unfortunately, an argument ended their date, and they're still not speaking to each other

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3
as in to conclude
to come to an end a book so good that you hate to see it end

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4
as in to die
to stop living a great general, who ended on the field of battle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

end

2 of 2

noun

ˈend How to pronounce end (audio)
1
as in ending
the stopping of a process or activity the end of hostilities brought general rejoicing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go I'm at the end of my patience with these little brats

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3
as in remainder
an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value a couple of ends of wallpaper were all that was left after we finished papering the room

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4
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish in this case the ends definitely do not justify the means

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5
as in tip
the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow a child's pair of scissors with blunt ends

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6
as in conclusion
the last part of a process or action the war wasn't yet over, but we were definitely at the beginning of the end

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7
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something the ends of his shirt cuffs were badly frayed

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8
as in demise
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities Henry Hudson and eight others were set adrift in the bay in a small boat, and how they met their end is unknown

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9
as in portion
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group keep up your end of the bargain

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb end differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of end are close, complete, conclude, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

When might close be a better fit than end?

In some situations, the words close and end are roughly equivalent. However, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When could complete be used to replace end?

While the synonyms complete and end are close in meaning, 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

When can conclude be used instead of end?

The synonyms conclude and end are sometimes interchangeable, but conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

In what contexts can finish take the place of end?

While in some cases nearly identical to end, finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When is terminate a more appropriate choice than end?

The meanings of terminate and end largely overlap; however, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

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 end
Verb
Her contract, which took effect Jan. 1, 2024, and ends June 30, 2026, includes annual compensation of $357,000. —Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2025 The Perseid meteor shower will end Aug. 23, NASA says. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
For victims’ families, a death sentence is not the end of a journey but the beginning of one. —Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 20 July 2025 In late June, Noem determined that Haiti no longer meets the conditions for its TPS designation and announced the end of the country's designation. —Jacqueline Charles Miami Herald, Arkansas Online, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for end
Recent Examples of Synonyms for end
  1. finish
  2. stop
  3. conclude
  4. die
  5. ending
  6. limit
  7. remainder
  8. goal
Verb
  • North Irvine finished 5 for 7 with the extra attacker.
    — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
  • Outstanding Seniors winner Braden Cole finished third in the super poll with 3,956 votes.
    — Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 23 July 2025
Definition of finish
Verb
  • Shortly after Braun’s executive order, the Indiana Department of Health told local health departments to stop accepting requests to change genders on birth certificates.
    — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
  • Break it up by stopping at the St. Regis Travel Center in St. Regis, Montana, for a huckleberry milkshake.
    — Sal Vaglica, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Johnson concluded that the program breached a guideline on accuracy, which deals with misleading audiences.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
  • The four astronauts of Axiom Space's latest private mission have concluded their stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Ax-4's SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, named Grace, undocked from the ISS this morning (July 14), carrying the quartet on the last leg of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • If their parents died, the sisters would split their inheritance.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
  • Deputies rendered life-saving help, but the suspect died at the location.
    — Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of die
Noun
  • His tail wagged, knowing his happy ending had finally arrived.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • So, obviously the season one ending is setting up some great exploration in the world above for season two.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
Definition of ending
Noun
  • In its correction notice sent July 16, city officials said that successful testing of patio gates installed the previous weekend at The Trap allowed for the patio to be reopened but that the 49-person occupancy limit would remain until further work was completed.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025
  • Make no mistake, the new 90% limit has no impact on the 2025 tax returns that will be filed early next year.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Definition of limit
Noun
  • In addition to her payments, the television personality is financing the cost of Matteo's health insurance, speech therapy and remainder of his preschool education through the 2024-2025 year.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • Reserve Luis Carrera to replace him for remainder of Rd. 1.
    — Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Definition of remainder
Noun
  • The Argentine forward has 12 goals and seven assists in league play this season, his best return in three seasons in purple.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 July 2025
  • This is a rebirth of identity, self-image, and personal goals.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025
Definition of goal

Phrases Containing end

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encysts
end
endamage
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Cite this Entry

“End.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/end. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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