as in entire
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it the delegation to the international convention was given plenary authority to negotiate a treaty in the nation's best interest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective plenary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plenary are complete, full, and replete. While all these words mean "containing all that is wanted or needed or possible," plenary adds to complete the implication of fullness without qualification.

given plenary power

When is complete a more appropriate choice than plenary?

The words complete and plenary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, complete applies when all that is needed is present.

a complete picture of the situation

In what contexts can full take the place of plenary?

The words full and plenary can be used in similar contexts, but full implies the presence or inclusion of everything that is wanted or required by something or that can be held, contained, or attained by it.

a full schedule

When could replete be used to replace plenary?

In some situations, the words replete and plenary are roughly equivalent. However, replete implies being filled to the brim or to satiety.

replete with delightful details

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 plenary Chief Justice John Marshall relied on the plenary constitutional power of the federal government over Indian affairs. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025 In panels and plenary addresses, speakers encouraged the audience to try out new clinical approaches, and to resist change at their own risk. Maggie Doherty, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025 What To Know China's top disciplinary agency began a three-day plenary session in Beijing on Monday to outline priorities for this year's anti-corruption campaign. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 But only three of them showed up for the vote Saturday, with the remaining 105 leaving the plenary hall in protest. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for plenary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plenary
Adjective
  • Temperatures hover in the high 80s to low 90s, with rain chances at 60% across the entire region.
    Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
  • San Francisco ended last season with a total of 37 team sacks, which is near the bottom of the entire league.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Even when the wildfires were happening, people were still going to work and their whole neighborhoods were burning down.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 May 2025
  • He was inspired by seeing whole Cacao pods in fresh fruit markets in South America and set out to develop a network of beverage shops to sell products made from frozen Cacao components.
    Steven Savage, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Its immediate expansions and 1999 sequel moved away from these fictional cities, but a full trilogy of early 2000s-era games each centered on one location from the original game apiece with GTA III (2001) set in Liberty City, followed by Vice City (2002) and San Andreas (2004).
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2025
  • This thing looks like a travel-sized deodorant and somehow sounds better than your full home speaker setup.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something about that that felt very whole and complete, because that’s the surprise of it.
    Lauren Coates, Variety, 24 May 2025
  • The Beats Studio Pro are wireless, over-ear headphones that offer a rich, well-balanced sound complete with head-tracking spatial audio.
    Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Our comprehensive analysis of Salesforce, across key indicators like Growth, Profitability, Financial Stability, and Downturn Resilience, reveals that the company continues to demonstrate very strong operational performance and a robust financial condition.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Being able to place the device on someone’s head would allow for more comprehensive brain monitoring.
    Paul McClure May 29, New Atlas, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • At more than 400 total feet in height, Starship towers over SpaceX's famous Falcon 9 rocket – one of the world's most active – which stands at nearly 230 feet.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Ramsay recently revealed that more than 500 of the lucky beckoning cats have been stolen from the restaurant — at a total cost of more than 2,000 pounds.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Tyce Peterson was a perfect 4 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.
    Shotgun Spratling, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • The Better Sister This adaptation of Alafair Burke’s novel follows two sisters, one who is seemingly living a perfect life (Jessica Biel) and the other who is in recovery and barely scraping by (Elizabeth Banks).
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plenary. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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