TERMINAL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'terminal' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of terminal are final , last , and ultimate . While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development. // terminal phase of a disease

Q: When would 'final' be a good substitute for 'terminal'?

In some situations, the words final and terminal are roughly equivalent. However, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress. // final day of school

Q: When is it sensible to use 'last' instead of 'terminal'?

The meanings of last and terminal largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped. // last page of a book // last news we had of him

Q: Where would 'ultimate' be a reasonable alternative to 'terminal'?

The words ultimate and terminal can be used in similar contexts, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible. // the ultimate collapse of the system

terminal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtərm-nəl

Definition of terminal next

as in final

following all others of the same kind in order or time took me to the terminal point of that bus route

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death a form of cancer that is usually terminal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

terminal

2 of 2

noun

as in depot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective terminal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of terminal are final, last, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When would final be a good substitute for terminal?

In some situations, the words final and terminal are roughly equivalent. However, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When is it sensible to use last instead of terminal?

The meanings of last and terminal largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book

last news we had of him

Where would ultimate be a reasonable alternative to terminal?

The words ultimate and terminal can be used in similar contexts, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

Examples of terminal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Gomez Addams, who died in 1994 from terminal complications from a stroke at 54 years old. —

Angela Andaloro, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024 Not that this was the deal that the United States Maritime Alliance, the group that negotiates on behalf of ship lines, terminal operators and ports, wanted. —

Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 5 Oct. 2024

Noun

The Airport Animal Center The facility lies two miles away from the main terminals but within the grounds of the airport, at the end of a service road that skirts a pond where geese flock during their migrations. —

Paul Yoon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024 Newark’s airport is getting a major makeover with a pair of new and enhanced terminals to bring the aging airport into the modern era. —

Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for terminal

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'terminal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.