Synonym Chooser

How is the word intact distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of intact are entire, perfect, and whole. While all these words mean "not lacking or faulty in any particular," intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state.

the boat survived the storm intact

When might entire be a better fit than intact?

While in some cases nearly identical to intact, entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing.

the entire Beethoven corpus

In what contexts can perfect take the place of intact?

The words perfect and intact can be used in similar contexts, but perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state.

a perfect set of teeth

When would whole be a good substitute for intact?

The words whole and intact are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained.

felt like a whole person again after vacation

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 intact Their relationship remains intact, though Rosie definitely suspects there might be something more between Kainalu and Hina. Andy Swift, TVLine, 31 Mar. 2025 As long as that coating remains intact, the pellet continues to slowly sink. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2025 The plans to conduct mass layoffs remain intact, and staff have continued to have meetings about the cuts, according to the employee, who took the stand under the pseudonym Alex Doe. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025 The Department of Education has maintained that all operations, including those related to student loan forgiveness and repayment, will remain intact. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intact
Adjective
  • Any time a bird gets sick, the entire flock is killed to help keep bird flu from spreading.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The team’s biggest concerns for 390’s recovery since July has been that the growth bed would be too damaged for the keratin to regrow and that the bone that supports the entire structure of the upper beak may have too much missing and grow back together.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the ones who got truly screwed in this whole double-elimination business are the viewers.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Marchesa Casati took her love of the panther to a whole other level.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While there, riders enter a recreation of the Ministry's iconic atrium, surrounded by offices and glistening green walls, and complete with a full-scale replica of the Fountain of Magical Brethren seen in the movies.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • There's a private treatment room, complete with twin massage beds, a sauna and a steam room.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ennis was elevated to full champion status in November 2023 when the sanctioning body stripped Terence Crawford of the belt not long after Crawford unified the welterweight titles with a win over Errol Spence Jr.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Watch the full clip with Ricci and O'Brien in the video, above.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Plano’s restaurant inspections function on a 100-point system, with a score of 100 considered to be perfect and a score of 70 considered to be extremely poor.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2025
  • For a club trying to re-establish winning credibility, winning charisma after a difficult few years, Paratici could be perfect.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In a comprehensive, step-by-step Reddit guide published on r/DHGate, user FabulousNinja8399 shares that this medal signals a seller has achieved the highest grade a store can receive: ACE status.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The sheer scale and complexity mean that truly comprehensive interpretability is still a distant goal.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intact. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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