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), close, wind up, wrap upRelated Words climax, crown; consummate, perfect; halt, stop, suspendAntonyms 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, cease, 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 downNear Antonyms draw out, extend, prolong, protractAntonyms 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), limitRelated 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, murder, 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 outNear 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, dismiss, turn offRelated Words downsize, excess, furlough, lay off, trim; boot (out), chuck (out), drum (out), kick out, throw out, unseat; separateNear Antonyms keep; reemploy, rehire; contract, subcontract; recruitAntonyms employ, engage, hire, retain, sign (up or on), take on