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
On March 28, the agency notified its remaining employees that they would be terminated either on July 1, when all remaining USAID functions are set to be merged with State, or before Sept. 2, when the agency’s operations will have been substantially wound down or transferred to State. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025 The Trump administration terminated over 1,000 grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, including funding for all state humanities councils. Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 5 Apr. 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
  • Lawmakers can typically override a governor’s veto with another vote on the bill if the legislation receives two-thirds support from each chamber, though the Idaho Legislature ended this year’s regular legislative session early this month.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Museum of African-American History Faces Uncertain Future After Federal Grant Terminated The Museum of African American History in Boston is facing financial uncertainty after the federal government abruptly ended its three-year grant.
    Oumou Fofana, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.
    Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The rebels have loosely defined what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning many vessels could be targeted, some of which have had little or no connection to Israel.
    Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The line defines short cruises as ranging from four to six nights and mid-length sailings as seven to nine nights, while longer cruises are 10 or more nights.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The expiration date marks the day the Prime Minister of Granada, Maurice Bishop, was assassinated by a firing squad, which was followed by a U.S. military invasion.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • One 1964 document showed that two intelligence assets discussed potentially assassinating Castro under the administration of President Lyndon Johnson.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Teams take pride in removing emotion from decisions and loathe making moves that can be interpreted as reactionary.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, after this portion’s absence from the livestream was noted by NME, the group noted that this instance wasn’t the only part of their set that was removed from the broadcast.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 14 Apr. 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
  • After the video concluded, Dončić wiped away tears before joining his teammates.
    Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
  • China's tariff rate is now in triple digit territory, and who knows what happens in 90 days when this pause concludes.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Some ceased vaccination clinics, halted wastewater surveillance programs and even terminated a contract with the courier service that transports specimens to state labs to test for infectious diseases.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The cuts do not necessarily mean a program will cease to operate.
    Melody Schreiber, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminate. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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