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
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
Users of those services can also worry a bit less about the service provider aggressively terminating accounts.
—ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Indefinitely suspending a grant was the same as terminating it, Lin said in a ruling requiring the agency to reinstate the funds.
—Felicia Mello, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
The utility proposes a route that runs north from the Imperial Valley substation, moving laterally through a chunk of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, heading up into Riverside County near Temecula and then terminating outside of Camp Pendleton.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Users of those services can also worry a bit less about the service provider aggressively terminating accounts.
—ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Indefinitely suspending a grant was the same as terminating it, Lin said in a ruling requiring the agency to reinstate the funds.
—Felicia Mello, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
The utility proposes a route that runs north from the Imperial Valley substation, moving laterally through a chunk of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, heading up into Riverside County near Temecula and then terminating outside of Camp Pendleton.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 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
-
Hong Kong/Hangzhou — Stephen Curry announced a partnership for his signature brand with Li-Ning on Monday, ending his sneaker free agency in a major win for the Chinese sportswear giant.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
Rasmus Hojlund confirmed last month that Napoli’s qualification for the Champions League triggered a clause which will turn his loan deal permanent, ending a three-year spell as a United player.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The latest the series can end is June 17; the shield stopping him from answering questions — not just about his past, but his present and future — is likely to stay in place.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Texas is split down the middle on which issue should take priority — stopping voter fraud or preventing eligible citizens from being turned away at the ballot box — as a poll shows the split is not a sign of moderation but of deep partisan polarization.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
According to Mike, that freedom became one of the collection’s defining characteristics.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
3 June 2026
-
An iconic style from the brand hailing from the fall 2016 runway, the Kiki has amassed a legion of celebrity fans who have embraced the silhouette’s defining platform, towering block heel and unique buckle design leaving oval cut outs.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Worthington plays David Burroughs, a man wrongfully serving a life sentence for murdering his son.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Hunter was convicted of murdering Green — who knew him only as his alias, Michael Berry — 24 years after her body was found in the trunk of her own car in the parking lot of a Walgreen’s store in Sanford.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
This is done by cutting back the growing tip of the trunk (called the central leader) during the first winter after planting and selectively removing side branches.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
-
Some gardeners control the infestation by cutting the plants back or even removing them.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Arsenal fans flock to final Few people understand Arsenal’s global fanbase like Smith – a man who has fostered a community of listeners from around the world from his home in the United States.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Ogwumike’s clutch shot was needed because the Sparks (4-3) squandered an eight-point lead in the final 4½ minutes.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Digwa was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, concluding a case that the far-right has co-opted for its false narrative that British institutions, including the police, are biased against White Britons.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Federal investigators said their review uncovered broader violations, concluding the district also allowed male students to access female-only facilities and compete on girls' teams.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminating. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
