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finish

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb finish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of finish are close, complete, conclude, end, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

When would close be a good substitute for finish?

The words close and finish can be used in similar contexts, but close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When can complete be used instead of finish?

The synonyms complete and finish are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 conclude be a reasonable alternative to finish?

The meanings of conclude and finish largely overlap; however, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When could end be used to replace finish?

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

ended his life

In what contexts can terminate take the place of finish?

The words terminate and finish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 finish
Verb
By sunset, the commentator finishes his shouting for the day and the bulls are walked home or loaded back up onto trucks and spirited away. Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 11 July 2025 The Heat finished 21st in offensive rating last season, ninth in defensive rating. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Noun
In terms of coat fabrics and heavier winter weights, the brand focused on finishes that lent a rawer look, particularly through brushing and super-washed treatments, for example in the Raw Cashmere and Raw Alpaca fabrics that did not lose either total warmth or softness. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 11 July 2025 The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 deliver strong active noise cancellation, a sleek Peony finish, and crystal-clear call quality that makes every conversation feel in-person. Juhi Wadia July 11, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for finish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finish
Verb
  • Investigators are seeking permission to exchange information between the police department and medical examiner's office to complete the work.
    Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
  • Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials said work crews will complete a full replacement of the bridge expansion joints at mile marker 135.6 to improve safety, also helping to prevent potholes and reduce future maintenance closures.
    Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump also described battlefield losses and touted his credentials as a leader who can end wars.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
  • That legal standoff ended so CBS’ corporate parent, Paramount Global, could get regulatory approval for its merger with Skydance.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The toddler stopped crying about 15 minutes after she had been put down for a nap.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • Such as when our yellow Lab Frank couldn’t stop wagging his tail while digging a hole.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • That ending is the most important scene and is very much in direct contact with the overarching theme that penetrates all three seasons.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
  • In addition, the Squid Game Season 3 ending certainly seems to allude to the format going international.
    Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Combine that with a high-interest-rate environment and uncertainty over peace in the Middle East, spending came to a halt.
    Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • Over the years, the lighthouse was used as a museum and a coffee shop, but erosion from the sea forced that to come to a halt.
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Shaffer and his colleagues have concluded the bird hitched back-to-back rides on a garbage truck, taking advantage of the low-effort form of transportation to reach a destination filled with tasty food scraps.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 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
Verb
  • Taking effect in September 2026 and extending through the 2029-30 season, the new CBA was passed by a majority vote from both the NHL’s Board of Governors and the NHL Players’ Association, more than 14 months before the current agreement expires.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • Indeed, the executive order that established ORM and requires regulatory analysis expires in June 2026.
    Susan E. Dudley, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • In fact… The Chinese military does use Nvidia chips, according to research by Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, which analyzed 66,000 military purchasing records to come to that conclusion.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 15 July 2025
  • The series came to a dramatic conclusion on Sunday, July 23, when Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales were crowned season 7’s winners.
    Erin Clements, People.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Finish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finish. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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