1 terminate | Definition of terminate

terminate

verb
ter路​mi路​nate | \ 藞t蓹r-m蓹-藢n膩t How to pronounce terminate (audio) \
terminated; terminating

Definition of terminate

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to form an ending
2 : to come to an end in time
3 : to extend only to a limit (such as a point or line) especially : to reach a terminus

transitive verb

1a : to bring to an end : close terminate a marriage by divorce terminate a transmission line
b : to discontinue the employment of workers terminated because of slow business
c : to form the conclusion of review questions terminate each chapter
2 : to serve as an ending, limit, or boundary of

terminate

adjective
ter路​mi路​nate | \ 藞t蓹r-m蓹-n蓹t How to pronounce terminate (audio) \

Definition of terminate (Entry 2 of 2)

: coming to an end or capable of ending

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Synonyms & Antonyms for terminate

Synonyms: Verb

close, close out, complete, conclude, end, finish, round (off or out), wind up, wrap up

Antonyms: Verb

begin, commence, inaugurate, open, start

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Choose the Right Synonym for terminate

Verb

close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. close a debate end conveys a strong sense of finality. ended his life conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). the service concluded with a blessing finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. after it is painted, the house will be finished 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 terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. your employment terminates after three months

Examples of terminate in a Sentence

Verb

The branches of that tree terminate in flower clusters. The rail line terminates in Boston. You have to terminate the program before the computer will shut down properly. His contract was terminated last month. He was terminated last month. Plans are being made to terminate unproductive employees.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Legislation that has passed the assembly and senate would allow parents whose rights have been terminated by a court to have visitation rights. Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, "How about a Foster-Care Revolution?," 9 Sep. 2019 McDermott鈥檚 contract was terminated Aug. 11, making rookie Austin Cutting the team鈥檚 long snapper. Chris Tomasson, Twin Cities, "Vikings reached injury settlement with Kevin McDermott, including paying for elbow surgery," 23 Aug. 2019 Two weeks ago, a six-member jury sided with the city in the high-stakes lawsuit, validating Mayor Luke Bronin鈥檚 decision to terminate the developers, Centerplan Construction Co. and DoNo Hartford. Kenneth R. Gosselin, courant.com, "Fired Hartford ballpark developers push back in court against jury鈥檚 verdict that city鈥檚 termination was justified," 15 July 2019 While Dallas Fire-Rescue investigates the report, DART has terminated its trains at the Victory, West End, Pearl/Arts District and Deep Ellum stations. Dallas News, "Report of fire near DART station in downtown Dallas causes delays," 15 July 2019 So far, more than $500 million worth of tax breaks have been terminated, either voluntarily or through legal action. Jeff Pillets, ProPublica, "More Instances of Fraud and Mismanagement Over New Jersey Tax Incentives Surface in New Report," 18 June 2019 When Pentagon officials realized that BDM鈥檚 research was leading toward this highly unwelcome conclusion, the contract was abruptly terminated. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's magazine, "The Military-Industrial Virus," 10 June 2019 Three were fired prior to the release of the video, and the fourth terminated Wednesday. Suzanne Baker, Naperville Sun, "'Disturbing' video of calves being abused prompts Casey's Foods, Jewel to remove Fairlife dairy items," 5 June 2019 The activists estimate that 370 women, in a country with a population of 460,000, travel to terminate a pregnancy each year. The Economist, "Malta is the last EU country to have a full ban on abortion," 27 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'terminate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of terminate

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for terminate

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin terminatus, past participle of terminare, from terminus

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More Definitions for terminate

terminate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of terminate

formal
: to end in a particular way or at a particular place
: to cause (something) to end
US : to take a job away from (someone)

terminate

verb
ter路​mi路​nate | \ 藞t蓹r-m蓹-藢n膩t How to pronounce terminate (audio) \
terminated; terminating