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

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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

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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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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

As in the West and Kelley cases, agreements may also specify when the surrogate could be asked to abort or, if pregnant with multiple fetuses, selectively terminate. — Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 Starlink can terminate or suspend the service for rule violations. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 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

Dodgers lefty Tanner Scott came to the rescue and struck out Bauers and Yelich to end the inning (and Garrett Mitchell to kick off the seventh).

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The race starts and ends at The Momentary in Bentonville and two of the three course lengths roll through McDonald County in Missouri.

— Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of end

Verb

The city’s public works team and its Parks, Recreation and Marine bureau were working to secure it, putting up sandbags and rebuilding the berm to stop water intrusion.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Kodiak says its autonomous system is designed to identify emergency vehicles, stopped vehicles, lane closures and accident scenes.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of stop

Verb

Introduced in 1962, Carlo Riva’s shapely mahogany runabout had become boating’s ultimate status symbol, marrying flawless craftsmanship and twin-V-8 power with styling that defined la dolce vita.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
They’re now faced with the daunting task of further defining distinct identities for multiple WB labels like New Line and Clockwork.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of define

Verb

The 21-year-old Michigan State senior is also head of the local chapter of Turning Point, the group for young conservatives whose founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated last year.

— Jacqueline Ganun, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
On July 7, 2021, Moïse was assassinated inside his second-floor bedroom.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of assassinate

Verb

Other organizations abandoned associations with Hastert, and his portrait was removed from a hallway outside the House chamber.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Community organizations spent decades cultivating wealthy baby boomer donors, and so that connection fades with each generation removed from the original donors.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of remove

Verb

There is something instructive in the agent concluding a diatribe on quelling revolutionary violence with a note about feeling inspired.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Research on hitting objects does not support it as a way to reduce anger, and there are too few studies of screaming to conclude its effects.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of conclude

Browse Nearby Words

terminals

terminate

terminated

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Style

“Terminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminate. Accessed 14 Oct. 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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