terminate 1 of 2

verb

ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce terminate (audio)
Definition of terminatenext
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
as in to stop
to come to an end this class will terminate with the arrival of Memorial Day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to assassinate
to put to death deliberately the operative's covert mission was to terminate the leader of the opposition

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to remove
to let go from office, service, or employment he was terminated for constantly coming in to work late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

terminate

2 of 2

adjective

as in terminable

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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 civil case was terminated in early February, according to the court docket for the case. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 Oracle filed a notice with the state of Missouri that the company will be terminating employees at its Kansas City Campus facility, 8779 Hillcrest Rd. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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 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 See All Example Sentences for terminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terminate
  1. end
  2. stop
  3. define
  4. assassinate
  5. remove
  6. terminable
  7. conclude
  8. cease
Verb
  • Oh, and after a Collins strikeout finally ended the streak in the sixth, Isbel promptly led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
  • According to Max Preps, the JSerra Lions ended the 2025 season with a 3-7 record and went 0-5 in the Trinity League against powerhouse like Mater Dei.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of end
Verb
  • Asking the engineers to stop designing a firing squad chamber for the state of Idaho to execute death-row prisoners.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The Yankees went a perfect 5-for-5 with ABS challenges in Monday’s 2-1 walk-off loss to the Mariners, but that didn’t stop Boone and company from barking at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Sound design—the particular timbre of a bass drum or a synth sweep—often defines the identity of a track.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • That shop, Orange County Drum & Percussion, better known as OCDP, would go on to define the look and sound of a generation of alternative rock drummers.
    — Jeff Miller, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • And Israel had been conducting a campaign to assassinate Iranian scientists, which made the prospect of lethal reprisal highly plausible.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Tyler, Andrea’s making the point that on the surface there are talks happening but there are no real direct negotiations at those highest levels, in part because so many people have been assassinated.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • In March 2021, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tried to have Swalwell removed from the House Intelligence Committee over his contact with Fang, citing the same interactions now at the center of Patel's file review.
    — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In his community, Bustamante likened it to denouncing Catholicism and removing photos of the pope.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of remove
Adjective
  • The contract is terminable at will on 15 days’ prior notice.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Indefinite employment terminable only for cause had existed as early as the founding of Harvard College in 1650.
    — Time, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Definition of terminable
Verb
  • At the time, Harold's autopsy concluded his death was caused by multiple, serious cardiac issues including pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac around the heart.
    — Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • With roster movement already underway and a top-25 recruiting class incoming, the season that just concluded serves as a foundation rather than a finished product.
    — Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • Under the emergency order, the school must immediately cease operations and may not provide massage education services in Texas unless otherwise authorized.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Your intelligence, your generosity, your courage, and your great sensitivity never cease to move me.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of cease

Browse Nearby Words

terminals
terminate
terminated
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Cite this Entry

“Terminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on terminate

Nglish: Translation of terminate for Spanish Speakers

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