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 next

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

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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

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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

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terminate

2 of 2

adjective

as in terminable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 latest: House Republicans introduced a bill last month to terminate the Education Department on Dec. 31, 2026. —

Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025 Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said in response to Harris' letter that it's been the law of the land for decades that members of bipartisan, independent agencies are protected from removal by the president and can only be terminated for cause. —

Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Feb. 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

That could well have ended the conservative opposition to the Department of Education.

— Richard Stengel, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025
Seton Hall ended its nine-game losing streak and improved to 7-18 overall and 2-12 in the league.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2025