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

Relevance

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

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
But the company confirmed earlier this week that the property owner is terminating the lease before its expiration. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Last year, the children agreed to sell 100% of the stock owned by four of the trusts to Walter at a $10 billion valuation, and those four trusts were then terminated. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 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 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
  • However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Amid a scorching stretch, Bregman ends the month with his lifetime total now sitting at two.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of end
Verb
  • The new rules mandated that referees stop play for a ten-minute hydration break that allows players to drink fluids, change clothes, or shower in their locker room.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The team stopped at 800 N because increasing the load further would require additional protective equipment, with a separate destructive limit test planned.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Made for pretty much every texture, the airy foam gives fine-to-medium hair body without weighing it down, while helping define and smooth thicker waves and curls without sacrificing movement.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Drone warfare has become a defining feature in the country's war, with both sides carrying out strikes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will stand trial after a Utah judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors presented enough evidence to move forward on all seven charges against him.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • After Kirk was assassinated, the Congressional Black Caucus put out a statement condemning political violence.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • The cores or plugs removed from the lawn during aeration actually increase the success of overseeding by providing more direct contact between the seeds and the soil.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • If coverings could not be removed, visitors would be charged for a day pass or a pass replacement.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 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
  • Still, several financial analysts have concluded that the prediction frenzy, with its sleek mobile apps and easy-to-understand odds, are driving the stock drops.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • An autonomous attacker does not care what an organization's SPRS score says, whether its dashboard is green or whether an assessment concluded that a control was implemented.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • The turf needs this lead time to absorb the nutrients before growth ceases in winter.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ukraine is warning the world that airlines and other civilian aircraft must cease operations in Russian airspace or risk being caught in crossfire.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 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 Sep. 2026.

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