verb
Uncommon
terminate
TUR-mih-nayt
Terminate (verb) means to bring something to an end. Example: “The airline terminated the route due to low demand.”
verb
1
To bring something to an end.
"The airline terminated the route due to low demand."
"They terminated the contract after just six months."
"The council voted to terminate the scheme because nobody was using it."
2
To end someone's employment; to fire them.
"He was terminated after the internal investigation concluded."
"The firm terminated several workers when the factory closed down."
"She feared being terminated if she made one more serious mistake."
3
To reach or mark an end point, especially of a journey or route.
"This train terminates at Central Station."
"The bus route terminates at the harbour, so everyone has to get off there."
"Our walking trail terminates at a small waterfall in the woods."
How to use terminate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal word for "end" or "stop" — used for contracts, journeys, and jobs.
When to use it
More formal and clinical than "end" or "stop"; common in legal, corporate, and technical writing.
Common pairings
terminate a contract
terminate employment
terminate a pregnancy
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- terminates
- Past tense
- terminated
- Comparative
- more terminate
- Superlative
- most terminate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The airline _____ the route due to low demand.
Etymology
From Latin terminatus, past participle of terminare, "to set bounds to, end," from terminus, "a limit."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for terminate
See all rhymes for terminate →Frequently asked questions
What does “terminate” mean?
The word “terminate” means to bring something to an end. In plain terms, a formal word for "end" or "stop" — used for contracts, journeys, and jobs.
How do you pronounce “terminate”?
“Terminate” is pronounced TUR-mih-nayt (/ˈtɝmɪneɪ̯t/ in IPA).
How do you use “terminate” in a sentence?
Here is “terminate” used in a sentence: “The airline terminated the route due to low demand.”
What is another word for “terminate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “terminate” include discontinue, stop, break off, fire and sack.
What is the opposite of “terminate”?
The opposite of “terminate” — its antonyms — is continue.
What part of speech is “terminate”?
“Terminate” is a verb.
Where does the word “terminate” come from?
The word “terminate” comes from Latin. From Latin terminatus, past participle of terminare, "to set bounds to, end," from terminus, "a limit.".
Is “terminate” a common word?
“Terminate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between terminate and end?
"Terminate" often sounds more formal or final than "end," and is commonly used in legal, contractual, or employment contexts, such as terminating a contract or terminating employment, whereas "end" is a more everyday, neutral word for bringing something to a close. Both describe stopping something, but "terminate" carries more weight in formal writing.
What does it mean to "terminate" an employee?
To terminate an employee means to end their employment, i.e. to fire them — a phrase commonly used in formal HR and legal contexts as a more official-sounding alternative to "fire" or "sack." It refers specifically to ending someone's job.
What is the difference between "terminate" and "terminate at"?
"Terminate" generally means to bring something to an end, such as ending a contract or job, while "terminate at" describes reaching or marking an end point, especially of a journey or route, such as a bus route that terminates at a particular station. The "at" construction is specific to physical or geographic endpoints.
Is "terminate" a formal or informal word?
"Terminate" is a fairly formal word, more common in legal, business, employment, or technical contexts than in casual speech, where "end," "stop," or "finish" are more typical. Its formality is part of why it's often chosen for official notices, such as contract or employment terminations.
