WHOLE Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'whole' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of whole are all , entire , and total . While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away. // read the whole book

Q: How is 'all' related to other words for 'whole'?

All may equal whole , entire , or total . // all proceeds go to charity

Q: When could 'entire' be used to replace 'whole'?

The words entire and whole are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added. // the entire population was wiped out

Q: When would 'total' be a good substitute for 'whole'?

While in some cases nearly identical to whole , total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered. // the total number of people present

whole 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhōl

Definition of whole

as in all

not divided or scattered among several areas of interest or concern you'll need to put your whole effort into this project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor whole and happy again after months of recuperation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in entire

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it the puzzle isn't quite whole, but close enough

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whole

2 of 2

noun

as in total

a complete amount of something the landlord eventually refunded the whole of our deposit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word whole distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of whole are all, entire, and total. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

How is all related to other words for whole?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When could entire be used to replace whole?

The words entire and whole are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

When would total be a good substitute for whole?

While in some cases nearly identical to whole, total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

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 whole

Adjective

The firm runs the same living-money logic across whole life, term, mortgage protection, final expense, annuities, Roth conversion planning, and estate planning. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Explore your whole life health with expert interviews, stories from real people, health innovations, research, products, and fun recommendations. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

Average daily turnover in Hong Kong has hit HK$280 billion since the start of the year, compared to HK$250 billion for the whole of 2025, according to the HKEX CEO. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 Each study captures only a sliver of the whole, which may be larger yet. — Vishal R. Patel, Time, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whole

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whole

Adjective

Then, the next technological iteration replaced the human eye with photographic plates in the 19th century, which led to the first sensitive all-sky surveys.

— Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
But the 31-year-old was England’s leading wicket-taker during the winter’s 4-1 defeat to Australia, taking 22 wickets, and remains an important all-format bowler for England.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of all

Adjective

Asians generally have longer life expectancies than those outside the region—but longer lives aren’t the same as healthier ones.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Her looks often incorporated classic country motifs like cowboy hats or bell-bottom jeans, though usually made Dolly-appropriate with a healthy helping of sparkles and vibrant hues.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of healthy

Adjective

Though Sex and the City ended two entire decades ago, many of her most valuable life lessons—usually delivered via purring, zingy one-liners, either with a dirty martini in one hand or while waving a fork over brunch—feel just as relevant today.

— Daisy Jones, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2026
This market cap doesn't represent total investment but the value assigned to its entire network, driven by monetary dilution, network utility (global value transfer, verifiable supply), and anticipated future demand.

— Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of entire

Noun

The center near the Pentagon had an annual budget of $7 million, officials said, with the cross-command total for all civilian security work estimated at around $80 million before the cuts.

— Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
The case comes amid a spike in measles infections in the United States, with 2,777 cases this year, the highest total since 1991.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of total

Noun

For many skywatchers, the difference between 96% and 100% will be surprisingly subtle — the complete opposite to a total solar eclipse, where a 99% eclipse bears no resemblance whatsoever to totality.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
By combining advance preparation with a timely course correction, the voyage transformed a looming weather threat into an unforgettable view of totality.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of totality

Articles Related to whole

Cite this Entry

Style

“Whole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whole. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of whole

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

'Wholistic': A Natural Evolution Of...

'Whole Milk', 'British English', and 16...

Where does 'hello' come from?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of whole

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing whole

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to whole

'Wholistic': A Natural Evolution Of...

'Whole Milk', 'British English', and 16...

Where does 'hello' come from?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes