incomplete

adjective

ˌin-kəm-ˈplēt How to pronounce incomplete (audio)
Definition of incompletenext
as in deficient
lacking some necessary part an incomplete puzzle that has several pieces missing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 incomplete Despite being in a wheelchair with incomplete quadriplegia, Lee Fair almost never stays at home. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026 Mahomes’ lone incomplete pass of the period was nearly an interception by Nick Bolton, who stepped in front of Tyquan Thornton’s in-breaking route. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026 Focusing only on what goes out the door — without considering what came in — paints an incomplete picture. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 First team period Malik Willis at QB Deep ball to WR Malik Washington falls incomplete. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incomplete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incomplete
  1. deficient
  2. partial
  3. unfinished
  4. fragmentary
  5. fragmental
Adjective
  • Everybody is low, so the deficiency becomes normalized—‘normal’ is deficient.
    — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Despite the copious downpour that led to flooding across many parts of the country in the past few weeks, India still faces the prospect of a deficient monsoon this year.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of deficient
Adjective
  • Huang of the Taiwan Network Information Center said the July incident demonstrated that AI has become the main player in cybersecurity beyond simply assisting human hackers in partial automation tasks.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Here’s when and where to watch the spectacular partial lunar eclipse.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of partial
Adjective
  • If every unfinished thought becomes public property, people stop exploring hard questions.
    — ByThad L. Bench, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Fresh out of college, the Netflix series features Sahebi and her tightknit group of friends, exes and rivals returning to hillside mansions and luxury in southern California and unfinished drama, according to series synopsis.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfinished
Adjective
  • The story is told in a fragmentary fashion, with short paragraphs that are separated by subheadings.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Manchester musician’s preference for the fragmentary extends to his approach to genre.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Definition of fragmentary
Adjective
  • This would generate a cloud of hot gases and fragmental volcanic material, which could then move downslope gravitationally.
    — Erik Klemetti, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2011
Definition of fragmental

Browse Nearby Words

incompetents
incomplete
incompletely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incomplete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incomplete. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incomplete

Nglish: Translation of incomplete for Spanish Speakers

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