terminator
3 synonyms for terminator, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person or thing that ends or destroys something.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A person or thing that ends or destroys something.
“The virus acted as a terminator of the failing cell line.”
2. noun
The line dividing the day side and night side of a planet or moon.
“Photos from orbit clearly show the terminator crossing the lunar surface.”
Etymology
From terminate + -or; the "killer android" sense is a direct reference to the 1984 film The Terminator.
Full origin of terminator →Frequently asked questions
What does “terminator” mean?
The word “terminator” means a person or thing that ends or destroys something. In plain terms, something that ends or destroys — used technically for the day/night line on a planet and for cable-end devices, and popularly for the movie character.
How do you pronounce “terminator”?
“Terminator” is pronounced TUR-mih-nay-tuh (/ˈtɝ.mɪˌneɪ.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “terminator” in a sentence?
Here is “terminator” used in a sentence: “The virus acted as a terminator of the failing cell line.”
What part of speech is “terminator”?
“Terminator” is a noun.
Where does the word “terminator” come from?
The word “terminator” dates back to around 1984. From terminate + -or; the "killer android" sense is a direct reference to the 1984 film The Terminator.
Is “terminator” a common word?
“Terminator” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “terminator” have?
“Terminator” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or thing that ends or destroys something.
