terminated
[tˈɚmənˌetɪd] /ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce terminate (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtɜː.mɪ.neɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɚmənˌetɪd] /ˈtɝː.mə.neɪt/ (ame, ipa)
terminated — adjective
- terminatedpositive
- more terminatedcomparative
- most terminatedsuperlative
1. describes something that has a natural finishing point or is designed to come to
describes something that has a natural finishing point or is designed to come to an end — as opposed to being permanent or ongoing
The terminated contract is set to expire next June, so Yasmin's team is already planning the handover.
terminated + contract: contract with a fixed end date
Unlike permanent roles, terminated positions have a clearly stated end date in the offer letter.
contrast: terminated positions vs permanent roles
Terminated internship positions last exactly six months, after which students return to their regular classes.
Under the terminated grant agreement, funding stops automatically after two years.
All terminated accounts in this category will close automatically once the prepaid period expires.
- finite
more formal; stresses the existence of a limit rather than a design to end
- limited-term
common in job and contract descriptions; specifies the duration explicitly
- permanent
lasting without a set end point
- open-ended
has no fixed finish date
用法筆記
This sense emphasises that something has a built-in end point by design, not that it has already finished. Compare with sense 2 (CONCLUDED), which describes something that HAS already ended.
常見錯誤
2. describes something that has already reached its end point or been stopped fully
describes something that has already reached its end point or been stopped fully
The terminated contract meant the company no longer had to supply materials to its former partner.
adjective describing a finished contract
Tara was one of twelve workers with a terminated employment agreement after the factory closed.
With the lease terminated, the family needed a new apartment before month's end.
All terminated accounts are removed from the system within thirty days of the closure notice.
The terminated investigation left many questions unanswered for the residents of the small town.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 describes something that HAS already ended, while sense 1 describes something that WILL end by its nature.
常見錯誤
terminated — verb
- terminatedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- terminateds3rd person singular
- terminateding-ing form
- terminatededpast simple
1. to make something come to a stop or reach its finish — for instance, ending a se
to make something come to a stop or reach its finish — for instance, ending a service, a discussion, a business deal, or a legal agreement
The hospital decided to terminate the contract with the cleaning company after repeated complaints.
terminate + contract (legal/business context)
David and his landlord agreed to terminate the lease so he could move to a larger apartment.
The train line terminates at Grand Central Station, so passengers heading further north must change trains.
After three hours of debate, the chairperson terminated the discussion and called for a vote.
The software licence will terminate automatically if the user does not renew it before expiry.
文法句型
terminate + noun phrase
terminate (intransitive, no object)
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal, legal, and technical contexts. The intransitive use (e.g. 'the contract terminates in June') is common in written agreements.
常見錯誤
2. to officially end someone's employment, usually because of poor performance, mis
to officially end someone's employment, usually because of poor performance, misconduct, or business changes
The company terminated three managers after the investigation into the accounting errors was completed.
terminate + employee (company as subject)
Isabela was terminated as store manager after she was found taking money from the till.
passive: be terminated from + position
The factory will terminate two hundred workers next month when production moves overseas.
Wei received a letter saying his employment had been terminated with immediate effect.
Under the new policy, employees who fail three performance reviews may be terminated.
文法句型
terminate + person (employee)
be terminated from + position
用法筆記
Subject is usually an employer or organisation. The passive form ('was terminated') is more common than the active form in employee-facing communication. This sense is distinct from sense 1, which focuses on ending things (contracts, services) rather than ending someone's job.
常見錯誤
3. to intentionally end a pregnancy through a medical procedure, usually within the
to intentionally end a pregnancy through a medical procedure, usually within the early stages
The doctor explained the options available to a woman who wishes to terminate her pregnancy in the first trimester.
terminate + pregnancy (medical context)
After extensive counselling, Noor decided to terminate the pregnancy because the foetus had a severe genetic condition.
The clinic provides safe, legal services for women who need to have a pregnancy terminated for health reasons.
In some countries, the law allows a pregnancy to be terminated only within the first twelve weeks.
Nurses at the hospital receive special training on how to support patients recovering from a terminated pregnancy.
- abort
the more common term; slightly more direct and less clinical
文法句型
terminate + pregnancy
have a pregnancy terminated
用法筆記
This is the formal medical term. In everyday conversation, 'abort' or 'have an abortion' is more common. The noun 'termination' is also frequently used as a clinical euphemism in hospital settings.