Synonyms of terminating

terminating 1 of 2

adjective

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

• closing
• final
• concluding
• latest
• last
• latter
• terminal
• lowest
• ultimate
• rearmost
• following
• lag
• penultimate
• succeeding
• eventual
• ensuing
• consequent
• bottommost
• crowning
• farthest
• hindmost
• lowermost
• outermost
• conclusive
• remotest
• furthest
• decisive
• definitive
• furthermost
• farthermost
• extreme
• endmost
• nethermost
• utmost
• outmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• initial
• beginning
• first
• starting
• opening
• original
• primary
• earliest
• pioneer
• maiden
• foremost
• headmost
• inaugural
• superior
• eminent
• leadoff
• premier

terminating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of terminate

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

• ending
• concluding
• finishing
• completing
• closing
• winding up
• wrapping up
• rounding (off or out)
• closing out
• putting paid to
• suspending
• ringing down the curtain (on)
• crowning
• climaxing
• consummating
• halting
• perfecting
• stopping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• beginning
• starting
• commencing
• opening
• inaugurating

2

as in stopping

to come to an end

this class will terminate with the arrival of Memorial Day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ending
• stopping
• ceasing
• halting
• concluding
• expiring
• passing
• closing
• finishing
• discontinuing
• dying
• determining
• going
• lapsing
• stalling
• elapsing
• quitting
• breaking off
• winding up
• leaving off
• winking (out)
• letting up
• dead-ending
• breaking up
• suspending
• biting the dust
• pausing
• refraining (from)
• laying off (of)
• packing (up or in)
• staying
• cutting out
• giving over
• knocking off
• desisting (from)
• breaking down
• winding down
• abating
• petering (out)
• conking (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuing
• persisting
• hanging on
• extending
• prolonging
• drawing out
• protracting

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

• defining
• limiting
• bounding
• describing
• delimiting
• demarcating
• circumscribing
• marking (off)
• governing
• controlling
• demarking
• determining
• delineating

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

• murdering
• assassinating
• executing
• slaying
• killing
• dispatching
• neutralizing
• liquidating
• getting
• destroying
• snuffing
• whacking
• slaughtering
• taking out
• doing away with
• offing
• putting away
• doing in
• shooting
• croaking
• icing
• knocking off
• eliminating
• claiming
• rubbing out
• bumping off
• eradicating
• cutting down
• zapping
• blowing away
• exterminating
• shooting down
• carrying off
• smiting
• felling
• annihilating
• butchering
• massacring
• blotting out
• mowing (down)
• wiping out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restoring
• raising
• reviving
• animating
• resurrecting
• resuscitating

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

• removing
• dismissing
• sacking
• firing
• retiring
• releasing
• discharging
• axing
• bouncing
• mustering out
• canning
• turning off
• cashiering
• pink-slipping
• showing (someone) the door
• separating
• trimming
• downsizing
• sending packing
• laying off
• furloughing
• excessing
• unseating
• kicking out
• drumming (out)
• booting (out)
• chucking (out)
• throwing out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retaining
• employing
• hiring
• engaging
• keeping
• signing (up or on)
• taking on
• contracting
• rehiring
• recruiting
• reemploying
• subcontracting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of terminating

Verb

In terminating Marsh’s contract and suing her, ADOR alleged that her refusal to work—as well as unauthorized solo projects and photo shoots—broke the contract terms and cost the label some $22 million. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

The Pentagon did recently close its audit of foreign funding sources at Duke, clearing the school of suspicion despite it not terminating a foreign relationship. — Jane Winik Sartwell, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026

The policy tells deputies they will not be disciplined or even criticized for deciding not to chase someone, or for terminating a chase. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

This summer, cities were terminating contracts at a record pace, with Flock haters crossing political divides to unite against the invasive cameras that many cops abuse and misuse. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026

The Eagles aren’t terminating Hurts’ contract, a five-year, $255 million deal that runs through 2028. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026

The producers sought sanctions ranging from dismissal of Wilson’s claims, known as terminating sanctions, to $474,026 in financial penalties. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026

Until the county develops tighter restrictions over who can use the technology and why, Briones said her precinct will be terminating its contract with Flock. — John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 15 Oct. 2026

Nigeria introduced a new discount on fuel, reigniting fierce debate over the wisdom of terminating a long-running subsidy program three years ago. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026