terminate

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verb

Definition of TERMINATE

1

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 close out, complete, conclude, end, finish, round (off or out), terminate, wind up, wrap up

Related Words climax, crown; consummate, perfect; halt, stop, suspend

Antonyms begin, commence, inaugurate, open, start

2

to come to an end <this class will terminate with the arrival of Memorial Day>

Synonyms break off, break up, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue, elapse, end, expire, finish, go, halt, lapse, leave off, let up, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up, wink (out)

Related Words desist (from), lay off (of), refrain (from); give over [British], knock off, pack (up or in); break down, conk (out), cut out, stall; pause, stay, suspend; abate, peter (out), wind down

Near Antonyms draw out, extend, prolong, protract

Antonyms continue, hang on, persist

3

to mark the limits of <terminated the area set aside for the runners to change their clothes with a series of folding screens>

Synonyms bound, circumscribe, define, delimit, demarcate, demark, mark (off), terminate

Related Words control, determine, govern; delineate, describe

4

to put to death deliberately <the operative's covert mission was to terminate the leader of the opposition>

Synonyms assassinate, bump off, croak [slang], dispatch, do in, execute, get, ice [slang], knock off, liquidate, neutralize, off [slang], put away, rub out, slay, snuff, take out, terminate, whack [slang]

Related Words blow away, shoot, shoot down; blot out, carry off, claim, cut down, destroy, fell, kill, smite, zap; butcher, massacre, mow (down), slaughter; annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, exterminate, wipe out

Near Antonyms animate, raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive

5

to let go from office, service, or employment <he was terminated for constantly coming in to work late>

Synonyms ax (or axe), bounce, can, cashier, discharge, fire, muster out, pink-slip, release, remove, retire, sack, terminate, turn off

Related Words downsize, excess, furlough, lay off, trim; boot (out), chuck (out), drum (out), kick out, throw out, unseat; separate

Near Antonyms keep; reemploy, rehire; contract, subcontract; recruit

Antonyms employ, engage, hire, retain, sign (up or on), take on