CONCLUDE Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'conclude' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conclude are close , complete , end , finish , and terminate . While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). // the service concluded with a blessing

Q: Where would 'close' be a reasonable alternative to 'conclude'?

While the synonyms close and conclude are close in meaning, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. // close a debate

Q: When is it sensible to use 'complete' instead of 'conclude'?

The meanings of complete and conclude largely overlap; however, 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

Q: When might 'end' be a better fit than 'conclude'?

The synonyms end and conclude are sometimes interchangeable, but end conveys a strong sense of finality. // ended his life

Q: In what contexts can 'finish' take the place of 'conclude'?

The words finish and conclude 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

Q: When could 'terminate' be used to replace 'conclude'?

In some situations, the words terminate and conclude are roughly equivalent. However, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. // your employment terminates after three months

conclude

verb

kən-ˈklüd

Definition of conclude

as in to end

to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point a brief reminder of tonight's game concluded the announcements

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stop

to come to an end the concert concluded late in the evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to arrange

to bring about through discussion and compromise concluded an economic agreement among the world's leading industrial nations

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to decide

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration he concluded that the reprimand could wait until later

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to understand

to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information concluded that only the murderer could possibly have known that information

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb conclude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conclude are close, complete, end, finish, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

Where would close be a reasonable alternative to conclude?

While the synonyms close and conclude are close in meaning, close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

close a debate

When is it sensible to use complete instead of conclude?

The meanings of complete and conclude largely overlap; however, 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 might end be a better fit than conclude?

The synonyms end and conclude are sometimes interchangeable, but end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

In what contexts can finish take the place of conclude?

The words finish and conclude 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 could terminate be used to replace conclude?

In some situations, the words terminate and conclude are roughly equivalent. 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 conclude The hearing, led by an independent commission, concluded in December 2024. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 That question was front and center during the Court’s recently concluded 2025–2026 term. — David Cole, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026 Unpacking Judge Sweeney’s Reasoning Despite the newness of the case, Judge Sweeney concluded Wisne’s group sufficiently met certification requirements. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The YouTube video the Fever posted concluded with Boston’s answer and completely cut off the exchange between the reporter and the public relations staffer. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conclude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclude

Verb

But unlike the Hamptons, where the off-season starts the moment Labor Day weekend ends, Newport offers coastal charm year-round.

— Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
In the quarter ended June 30, Palantir delivered one of its strongest quarters yet.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of end

Verb

The project has drawn fierce local opposition in the mostly agricultural communities south of San Jose where it will be built, and the agency has temporarily stopped construction on it in advance of a court hearing in September.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Three minutes later, Son put away a volley after Carles Gil stopped a ball at the end line and whipped a cross into the center of the box.

— Kamran Nia July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Definition of stop

Verb

The production company asked Netflix in person and in writing to agree to delete any files transferred to a projector during screening and to arrange to promptly return the screener after viewing.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
They are systematically arranged, customer-focused, and global in scope.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

Instead of dwelling on the crime, the owners decided to respond with humor, posting the video on Instagram with a mock 0-star review for the burglary crew.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Florida’s August primary election is here, offering voters the opportunity to cast ballots in contests that will set up November clashes for governor, Congress and the state Legislature, and decide local races and referenda in counties and cities.

— Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of decide

Verb

Instead of diluting its elite credibility to reach a broader audience, the brand translated that credibility into environments where the average person could understand its every day relevance.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Even more unnerving than the sheer volume is how little the impact is understood and accounted for.

— Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

The company originally decided to continue farming hundreds of acres in the county at the start of the season but made the shift to cease farming on those acres mid-season this year, Axell said.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
Her room was undecorated and gray, crowded with machines whose chorus of irritating beeping never ceased.

— Anna Tsioulias, STAT, 29 July 2026

Definition of cease

Browse Nearby Words

conclaves

conclude

concluded

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Style

“Conclude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclude. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of conclude

verb

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