thorough

American  

[thur-oh, thuhr-oh] / ˈθɜr oʊ, ˈθʌr oʊ /

adjective

1. executed without negligence or omissions.

   a thorough search.

   Synonyms:

   total, unqualified, sheer, downright, exhaustive, in-depth

   Antonyms:

   superficial, partial

2. complete; perfect; utter.

   thorough enjoyment.

3. extremely attentive to accuracy and detail; painstaking: a thorough analysis.

   a thorough worker;

   a thorough analysis.

4. having full command or mastery of an art, talent, etc..

   a thorough actress.

5. extending or passing through.

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adverb

1. Archaic. through.

noun

1. (initial capital letter) the administrative policies of the Earl of Stafford and Archbishop Laud during the reign of Charles I: so called because they were uncompromisingly carried out.

thorough ¹ British  

/ ˈθʌrə /

adjective

1. carried out completely and carefully

   a thorough search

2. (prenominal) utter

   a thorough bore

3. painstakingly careful

   my work is thorough

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Thorough ² British  

/ ˈθʌrə /

noun

1. thoroughgoing policy, as adopted in England by Strafford and Laud during the reign of Charles I

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Other Word Forms

• quasi-thorough adjective
• quasi-thoroughly adverb
• superthorough adjective
• superthoroughly adverb
• thoroughly adverb
• thoroughness noun
• unthorough adjective
• unthoroughly adverb

Etymology

Origin of thorough

First recorded before 900; Middle English (preposition and adverb); Old English thuruh, variant of thurh through

Example Sentences

In a video posted to X, the Chinese embassy called for a "thorough investigation" of the case and to "severely sanction" the "illegal, improper and vandalistic" actions.

From Barron's

“We are committed to transparent operations, thorough investigations, and maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was such a resounding message because the game was such a thorough beatdown.

From The Wall Street Journal

The district agreed to extensive training for staff, training for students and their parents, and a thorough audit of reported harassment for two school years.

From Salon

Rights group Amnesty International on Saturday urged Bangladesh's interim government to carry out "prompt, thorough, independent and impartial" investigations into Hadi's killing and the violence that followed.

From Barron's

Related Words

• accurate
• careful
• complete
• comprehensive
• detailed
• exhaustive
• full
• intensive
• meticulous
• painstaking
• profound