Skip to main content
finality

finality

20 6.2
The state of being finished and not able to change
  • noun
  • /faɪˈnælɪti/
translation icon : carácter definitivo
  • The finality of the judge's ruling left no room for further appeal in the case.
  • sense of finality
  • finality of death

It's just such an abrupt, insane finality when that happens.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • But it was the first time that I actually had to experience the finality of death.

  • Death is a finality.

  • "I am fully aware of the finality of my decision."

  • But now, the idea of death has a terrible sense of finality to it.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Not just the threat of it, but its finality.

  • There is a finality to death that breaks you or empowers you.

  • I accept the finality of this outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College.

  • There is a sense of terrible finality as the tunnel evaporates into the void.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • At least now that he's been fired, there's a sense of finality and almost even some freedom.

  • At the end of the scene, the slamming of the gate reiterates the finality of the man's departure.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

end
vsfinality
1.0

The final part of something, like an event or story

indicates settled irreversible condition rather than only the simple last section
ending
vsfinality
398 1.0

The final part of something, like an event, story, or relationship

emphasises settled irreversible result rather than merely the closing segment
conclusion
vsfinality
167 2.2

The last part of an event, activity, or piece of writing

focuses on being irreversibly settled rather than simply the closing part
completion
vsfinality
108 2.4

The act of finishing a task or project

highlights lasting settled condition rather than the act of finishing
termination
vsfinality
3 5.5

The end point of something like a road or tunnel

refers more to an endpoint than to permanent irreversible status
definiteness
vsfinality
1 5.6

The quality of being clear and certain so people have no doubt

stresses an irreversible settled condition rather than mere predictability
conclusiveness
vsfinality
6.8

A final result that leaves no doubt

emphasises permanence and being settled rather than only leaving doubt
definitiveness
vsfinality
6.2

A clear and final quality that leaves no doubt

focuses on lasting settled status rather than only clear resolution
ultimateness
vsfinality
9.9

The final, most extreme level of something

emphasises settled irreversible outcome rather than extreme degree or position

Antonyms

19 3.4

Not able to make a choice quickly or with confidence

Not giving a clear result or decision

How Final

finality
20 6.2
settlement
  • Formal
384 3.3
uncertainty
296 4.0

Surface Forms

finality singular
finalities plural

Morphology

finality = final (transparent) = final + ity

Standard nominalization from the adjective 'final' indicating the state or quality of being final, which is directly inferable.

Etymology

Finality comes from the Latin root finis, which means 'end'. Think of finish or a 'finish line' — finality is the quality or feeling that something is completely ended and cannot be changed.