terminate 1 of 2

1
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we need to terminate the discussion for this evening, but we'll resume tomorrow morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to define
to mark the limits of terminated the area set aside for the runners to change their clothes with a series of folding screens

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5

terminate

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb terminate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of terminate are close, complete, conclude, end, and finish. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

your employment terminates after three months

When might close be a better fit than terminate?

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

close a debate

When is complete a more appropriate choice than terminate?

The meanings of complete and terminate 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

Where would conclude be a reasonable alternative to terminate?

The words conclude and terminate can be used in similar contexts, but conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

the service concluded with a blessing

When can end be used instead of terminate?

In some situations, the words end and terminate are roughly equivalent. However, end conveys a strong sense of finality.

ended his life

In what contexts can finish take the place of terminate?

The synonyms finish and terminate are sometimes interchangeable, but finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

after it is painted, the house will be finished

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 terminate
Verb
The monologue came hours after Musk responded to Trump’s threat to terminate Tesla’s government subsidies with a loaded tweet. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 June 2025 Last Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security took the extraordinary step of terminating Harvard’s certification to enroll international students; Harvard is suing the D.H.S., and a federal judge has halted the department’s effort. Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Adjective
ChristianaCare, the state’s largest health care system and largest private employer, has stated that all employees must receive the first dose of the vaccine by Sept. 21, or the health system with terminate workers who don’t unless given an exemption. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2021 That control gave Puglisi the sole authority to set up new credit card accounts, change spending limits, manage card access and terminate accounts. Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2021 See All Example Sentences for terminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terminate
Verb
  • Since that two-year period ended this past March and was not renewed, Soliman is currently in the country illegally.
    The Editors, National Review, 3 June 2025
  • In between plays, Waddle and former University of Alabama teammate Tua Tagovailoa were talking it up on the sidelines — laughing and chatting as the air horn blew, ending the day.
    Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • On September 2, Border Force officers had stopped two women at London Stansted Airport.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Goldman Sachs and Nasdaq have both stopped requiring companies using them for an IPO to have diverse board members.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • The edges of the mole are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
    Sarah Jividen, Health, 13 June 2025
  • The program defined orphans as children who had lost one or both parents to AIDS, and the children did not necessarily have HIV themselves.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Musk first announced his support for Trump shortly after the then-candidate was nearly assassinated on stage at a Pennsylvania rally last July.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2025
  • This time, he’s tasked with assassinating a powerful member of a secret society of international crime bosses known as the High Table.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Backstage at Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar, a popular LGBTQ club in Wilton Manors, Jacob Smith carefully removed his gravity-defying, bejeweled blonde wig and light pink costume.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
  • If the Parliamentarian determines a provision in a bill violates the Byrd Rule, the provision must be removed from the bill unless the Senators vote to waive the rule—that requires 60 votes, instead of the lower 51 vote majority allowed for reconciliation.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • These transfers can be made to trusts, such as qualified terminable interest property trust which can be relatively simple and inexpensive to create and also defer estate tax on unlimited wealth.
    Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Another type of trust to consider in this situation would be a qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust.
    Liz Weston, oregonlive, 6 Aug. 2023
Verb
  • Bowling Green concludes the regular season November 25 at UMass, the team’s only trip outside the region, though like the other 11 games is in the Eastern Time Zone.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • The Hurricanes conclude the 2025 season with a 35-27 overall record, including a 15-14 record in Atlantic Coast Conference play, and reached their first Super Regional since 2016.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The company has ceased production and distribution of the products as FDA and the company continue their investigation to correct the issue with the manufacturer.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Trump signed an order May 2 directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease funding NPR and PBS.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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