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terminal

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noun

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

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 terminal
Adjective
The facility’s staff created a lighting management plan, upgrading and replacing exterior lighting – more than 250 fixtures so far – and working to reduce light spill from its terminal building. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 14 May 2025 Navigating terminal illness like some cancers is tricky, and success for doctors and patients might look different than success for caregivers, Kamal said. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Noun
Hercules is also the chief ambassador, soaking in affection from passengers inside the terminal while calming some nervously waiting to board a flight at West Virginia International Yeager Airport. Arkansas Online, 1 June 2025 Queensland Police Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson previously said the teen was visiting somebody close to her, and that the people who dropped her off did not enter the terminal with her, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Bailey Richards, People.com, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for terminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terminal
Adjective
  • Indiana scored seven points in the final 22 seconds to avoid a double-digit loss, but the majority of the final 25 minutes were all Mystics.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
  • Danso made 15 appearances in all competitions and came off the bench for the final 10 minutes against Manchester United in the Europa League final.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Stephen Stanko’s attorneys told him that lethal injection would feel like drowning when a lethal dose of pentobarbital is injected into the inmate’s veins and there’s a rush of fluid into the lungs.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
  • However, in the days to come, zoo officials faced mounting criticism for not trying to tranquilize the 17-year-old Western lowland silverback before using lethal force.
    Jillian Frankel, People.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • These joint projects between NASA and industry could pave the way for orbital refueling and orbiting propellant depots, aligning with the direction of companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance.
    Stephen Clark – Jun 3, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025
  • Additionally, the depot in the fall became the headquarters of Ford’s Model e electric vehicle division and occupied by Integrated Services software employees.
    Detroit News, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
  • The shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • On May 29, Russia launched a series of deadly attacks across Ukraine, killing at least seven civilians.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Clara Adams, a sophomore at North Salinas High School, crossed the finish line first at last Saturday’s meet and immediately ran to her father, David Adams, to celebrate.
    Melissa Noel, Essence, 6 June 2025
  • The countries expelled each other’s top diplomats last year over the killing of a Sikh Canadian activist in Canada and allegations of other crimes.
    Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to the loss of wildlife, collisions are also fatal to humans.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
  • Her father was charged A CT baby had fractures and injuries medical personnel say could have been fatal.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a sense of affection in that scene and the rest of the movie that is just so infectious.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 May 2025
  • Mi-ji now hustles through various short-term jobs in the village of Doo-son-ri, maintaining her infectious optimism despite life’s setbacks.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminal. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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