as in closing
following all others of the same kind in order or time
the terminating speech of the political convention turned out to be the most inspiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ending
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopping
to come to an end
this class will terminate with the arrival of Memorial Day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in defining
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
4
as in murdering
to put to death deliberately
the operative's covert mission was to terminate the leader of the opposition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in removing
to let go from office, service, or employment
he was terminated for constantly coming in to work late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 terminating
Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
In response to an inquiry from the AP, a Polymarket spokesperson said the company was in the process of terminating the contract as a result of this week's revelations.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Nick Bilton, who Weiss tapped as the new executive producer of the newsmagazine last week, wrote a letter to Pelley on Tuesday evening terminating his employment.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 June 2026
The broadcaster made a series of moves to shake up the program, terminating exec producer Tanya Simon as well as correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi after the Memorial Day holiday.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
On March 22, the school fired softball coach Angie Nicholson, five days after terminating her husband, Rick, an assistant coach.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026
One change approved this year removes a requirement that hospitals apply for state approval before terminating a service.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Without mifepristone, misoprostol is just as safe but slightly less effective at terminating a pregnancy.
—Christine Henneberg, STAT, 15 May 2026
During public comment at the meeting, a speaker who identified herself as a graduate from Fort Worth ISD’s Northside High School voiced her confusion and objection about cutting the board policy and called for transparency in what criteria the district would use when terminating an employee.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
Verb
The long-haul route begins in Chicago and crosses a total of eight states, but the most scenic portions of the route begin as the train crosses into New Mexico and Arizona before terminating in Los Angeles.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
In response to an inquiry from the AP, a Polymarket spokesperson said the company was in the process of terminating the contract as a result of this week's revelations.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Nick Bilton, who Weiss tapped as the new executive producer of the newsmagazine last week, wrote a letter to Pelley on Tuesday evening terminating his employment.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 June 2026
The broadcaster made a series of moves to shake up the program, terminating exec producer Tanya Simon as well as correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi after the Memorial Day holiday.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
On March 22, the school fired softball coach Angie Nicholson, five days after terminating her husband, Rick, an assistant coach.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026
One change approved this year removes a requirement that hospitals apply for state approval before terminating a service.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Without mifepristone, misoprostol is just as safe but slightly less effective at terminating a pregnancy.
—Christine Henneberg, STAT, 15 May 2026
During public comment at the meeting, a speaker who identified herself as a graduate from Fort Worth ISD’s Northside High School voiced her confusion and objection about cutting the board policy and called for transparency in what criteria the district would use when terminating an employee.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terminating
Adjective
-
During the post-closing ceremony panel, the jury president showed a sense of humor when discussing the challenges of serving as the leading member of the voting committee for a prestigious film festival, like being away from the phones all morning.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
23 May 2026
-
This is covered in a standard inspection, often called a pre-drywall or pre-closing inspection.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Before ending his career, Tanter witnessed another Laker capture the all-time scoring record as James eclipsed Abdul-Jabbar's 38,287 points.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
In 2003, Roy Horn was attacked by a white Bengal tiger during a Siegfried & Roy show, leaving him partially paralyzed and ending the long-running act.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Fans can also pick up souvenir maps when stopping at the attraction this summer.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Things to do along the Little Parkway Southern Living recommends stopping at several of the High Country’s most popular attractions, including Grandfather Mountain, where visitors can cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge, explore the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and access nearby trails.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Both came to the Nats in the aforementioned — and franchise-defining — trade away of Soto in 2022.—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Digital sovereignty is quickly becoming a defining pursuit for countries trying to build strategic autonomy.—
Aidan Gomez,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
In December 2025, Nick Reiner was arrested on suspicion of murdering his parents, beloved filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer/producer Michele Reiner.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
16 June 2026
-
Mangione is accused of stalking and murdering Brian Thompson, age 50, a health insurance executive and father of two, on a Manhattan street in 2024.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
By removing the liquid filling stage entirely and accelerating the subsequent chemical formation and aging protocols, the production timeline for these steps is shortened by two-thirds.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
-
Make 4- to 6-inch-long cuttings by sipping off the ends of the shoots and removing a few bottom leaves.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Soufiane Rahimi turned aside one final Scotland corner in the closing seconds to secure the win for Morocco.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
-
Business interests, including the chamber, Meta, Chevron and PG&E, collectively contributed more than $52 million toward electing Becerra and opposing Tom Steyer, his top Democratic rival in the final weeks of the primary.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
In a 20-season span beginning in 2006, the Miners have had two winning years, both 7-6 and both concluding with bowl losses.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The court rejected that claim, concluding it was illegally seized and transferred.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminating. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
