TERMINATE Synonyms: 216 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

terminate 1 of 2

verb

ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt

Definition of terminate

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

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

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

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

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

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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

Blackbox Multimedia, which has produced series for 5 including The Ex-Wife and Benidorm is Murder, alleges that the network wrongfully terminated its production deal and it is owed money. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 On March 12, 2022, five days after the NCAA issued its notice of allegations, LSU announced that Wade and Armstrong had been terminated for cause. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 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

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

And, there are lots of studies out there that show many in my generation have stopped believing in the promise of the American Dream.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
His government has implemented policies that slow energy permitting and development, canceled billions in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects and spent nearly $4 billion to buy back leases to stop offshore wind projects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of attempting to assassinate one of his sons on Monday.

— Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Among them is the son of Fred Hampton, a senior leader of the Black Panther Party who was assassinated by the FBI in 1969, at the age of 21.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of assassinate

Verb

In sick bay, M’Benga tries to remove the table and end his life so Chapel can give up on him, an effort that proves futile.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Though your home may have its share of appliances, mail, mugs, or anything else that lives on your countertops daily, they should be removed before listing.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of remove

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 idea is to pressure Iran's hardline leadership enough that they are forced to come back to the negotiating table and/or cease aggression around the Strait of Hormuz.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The one issue that could have been a distraction — Daniels’ attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU in an effort to get the school to stop using Daniels’ name, image and likeness — appears not to have rattled the quarterback.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of cease

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terminals

terminate

terminated

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Style

“Terminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of terminate

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Synonyms of terminate

verb

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to terminate

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Cite this Entry

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