terminate 1 of 2

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
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 concerns stem from Murphy's time as city manager in Palmdale, where he was terminated in 2022. Nina Burns, CBS News, 30 June 2026 That agreement was entered into court in March, paving the way for the department to terminate the program and start forcing borrowers to move their student loans to other repayment plans. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 29 June 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
Verb
  • Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Kirby gave up a one-out double to Josh Lowe in the fifth but struck out the side — including Neto — to end the inning.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Making new friends isn’t something that has to stop at a certain point in your life.
    Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • As a coastal town shaped by generations of immigrants, Half Moon Bay now has a new art display that serves as a reminder of the people and stories that continue to define the community.
    Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 27 June 2026
  • In the absence of an official investigation, the incident last September has been magnified, and perhaps embellished, in the minds of veterans living on the campus, a community defined by the vulnerability of physical disability, substance use and trauma.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Martin Sheen is the Army captain tasked with going on a secret mission to Cambodia to assassinate a special forces officer (Marlon Brando) who's gone rogue and might actually be nuts.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Louis Farrakhan, who is now 93, stepped into the organization’s leadership vacuum shortly after Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965.
    Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Three of the reports stemmed from consumers swallowing the metal pieces and seeking medical treatment to remove them from their digestive tract or throat, the agency said.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • Residents objected to removing trees and other construction activities.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • In any other job, this would be a terminable offense.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026
  • The contract is terminable at will on 15 days’ prior notice.
    Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The bidding process that won AllHere the contract had concluded months before the Carvalho travel to Washington.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • The series is even, 1-1, and concludes Sunday afternoon.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Sony Interactive Entertainment, the largest video game company in the world by direct revenue, will reportedly cease production of physical discs for its formidable library of games for the PlayStation console.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • Founder David DeHaney, who set up the company in 2016, announced the decision to cease trading and appoint an administrator on Thursday.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 2 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on terminate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster