terminate

verb

ter·mi·nate | \ ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt

terminated; terminating

Definition of terminate

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to form an ending

2 : to come to an end in time

3 : to extend only to a limit (such as a point or line) especially : to reach a terminus

transitive verb

1a : to bring to an end : close terminate a marriage by divorce terminate a transmission line

b : to discontinue the employment of workers terminated because of slow business

c : to form the conclusion of review questions terminate each chapter

2 : to serve as an ending, limit, or boundary of

3 : assassinate, kill

terminate

adjective

ter·mi·nate | \ ˈtər-mə-nət

Definition of terminate (Entry 2 of 2)

: coming to an end or capable of ending

Other Words from terminate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about terminate

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Choose the Right Synonym for terminate

Verb

close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. close a debate end conveys a strong sense of finality. ended his life conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). the service concluded with a blessing finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. after it is painted, the house will be finished 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 terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. your employment terminates after three months

Examples of terminate in a Sentence

Verb

The branches of that tree terminate in flower clusters. The rail line terminates in Boston. You have to terminate the program before the computer will shut down properly. His contract was terminated last month. He was terminated last month. Plans are being made to terminate unproductive employees.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Because deciding to terminate a pregnancy seemingly takes more maturity than motherhood. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "The U.S. Is Tracking Migrant Girls' Periods to Stop Them From Getting Abortions," 2 Apr. 2019 In December, town council Democrats changed their tune and ultimately voted to terminate the purchase and sale agreement with UConn. — Mikaela Porter, courant.com, "Malloy Says Financial Tech Company Will Relocate To Former UConn Campus In West Hartford," 3 July 2018 Dynamo/Dash, and (iv) granting The Woodlands Township and Dynamo/Dash the right to terminate the MOU at any time for any reason upon 180 days’ notice to the other party. — Houston Chronicle, "Guest Viewpoint: McMullan expresses concern over soccer fields access," 16 June 2018 Until the 2016 election, the state had little to no role in the broad Republican effort to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy until a fetus is viable. — NBC News, "Judge agrees to halt fetal heartbeat abortion law in Iowa," 1 June 2018 Until the 2016 election, the state had little to no role in the broad Republican effort to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy until a fetus is viable. — Fox News, "Judge agrees to halt fetal heartbeat abortion law in Iowa," 1 June 2018 The pardon will allow the judge to terminate the case, said Christina So, a spokeswoman for the Asian Law Caucus. — Lizzie Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, "Pardoned by Brown, blasted by Trump: Bay Area man grateful for 2nd chance," 7 Apr. 2018 Quinn said Amazon has since changed its explanation for terminating the contract to blaming Allen for making statements saying that the #MeToo movement should not become a witch hunt. — Larry Neumeister, The Seattle Times, "Amazon: Woody Allen’s #MeToo comments wrecked movie deal," 15 Apr. 2019 If that happens, state governments would have the freedom to ban their residents from terminating a pregnancy. — Anna North, Vox, "With Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, West Virginia and Alabama are ready to ban abortion," 7 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'terminate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.