Synonyms of terminate

terminate 1 of 2

verb

ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt 

1

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

• end
• conclude
• finish
• complete
• close
• wind up
• round (off or out)
• wrap up
• put paid to
• suspend
• ring down the curtain (on)
• crown
• close out
• perfect
• consummate
• stop
• halt
• climax

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• begin
• start
• commence
• open
• inaugurate

2

as in to stop

to come to an end

this class will terminate with the arrival of Memorial Day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stop
• cease
• end
• expire
• conclude
• halt
• pass
• discontinue
• finish
• die
• go
• determine
• close
• lapse
• elapse
• quit
• wind up
• leave off
• stall
• break off
• let up
• break up
• wink (out)
• suspend
• dead-end
• bite the dust
• refrain (from)
• lay off (of)
• pack (up or in)
• desist (from)
• stay
• pause
• cut out
• give over
• break down
• abate
• knock off
• wind down
• peter (out)
• conk (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• persist
• hang on
• extend
• prolong
• draw out
• protract

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• define
• bound
• limit
• delimit
• describe
• demarcate
• mark (off)
• circumscribe
• govern
• demark
• determine
• control
• delineate

4

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

• assassinate
• execute
• murder
• slay
• kill
• liquidate
• neutralize
• get
• off
• dispatch
• destroy
• put away
• take out
• whack
• shoot
• slaughter
• do in
• snuff
• do away with
• rub out
• croak
• bump off
• ice
• eliminate
• knock off
• blow away
• claim
• eradicate
• cut down
• fell
• shoot down
• exterminate
• carry off
• smite
• blot out
• annihilate
• zap
• wipe out
• mow (down)
• massacre
• butcher

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restore
• raise
• revive
• resurrect
• animate
• resuscitate

5

as in to remove

to let go from office, service, or employment

he was terminated for constantly coming in to work late

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remove
• dismiss
• sack
• retire
• release
• fire
• can
• axe
• discharge
• ax
• muster out
• turn off
• bounce
• pink-slip
• show (someone) the door
• excess
• lay off
• send packing
• downsize
• cashier
• trim
• unseat
• separate
• furlough
• kick out
• drum (out)
• chuck (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retain
• employ
• engage
• hire
• keep
• sign (up or on)
• take on
• contract
• rehire
• recruit
• reemploy
• subcontract

terminate

2 of 2

adjective

as in terminable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terminable
• conditional
• limited
• tentative
• qualified
• fleeting
• transitory
• replaceable
• short-range
• transitional
• intermediate
• expedient
• ephemeral
• intermediary
• short-lived
• contingent
• substitute
• proxy
• alternate
• acting
• makeshift
• fugitive
• temporary
• short-term
• interim
• improvised
• provisional
• impermanent
• provisory
• provisionary
• ad interim

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• final
• long-term
• fixed
• unlimited
• settled
• set
• extended
• unconditional
• unqualified
• lasting
• standing
• long-range
• perpetual
• eternal
• endless
• everlasting
• immortal
• unending
• enduring
• timeless
• undying
• deathless
• dateless

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

Recent Examples of terminate

Verb

As ProPublica reported, the NIH has previously terminated research grants even after a federal judge blocked such cuts, and the administration has disregarded several other rulings. —Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 17 June 2025

Marlena sat next to her mom in court as state child welfare workers asked a judge to terminate the woman’s parental rights. —Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 16 June 2025

Adjective

ChristianaCare, the state’s largest health care system and largest private employer, has stated that all employees must receive the first dose of the vaccine by Sept. 21, or the health system with terminate workers who don’t unless given an exemption. —From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2021

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