terminate

IPA/ˈtɜːmɪneɪt/
KK[tˈɚmənˌet]IPA/ˈtɜːrmɪneɪt/

terminate — verb

  • terminatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • terminateshe / she / it
  • terminatedpast simple
  • terminating-ing form

1. to make a process, agreement, or activity stop, or to stop happening — for examp

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to make a process, agreement, or activity stop, or to stop happening — for example, ending a contract, a phone call, a service, or a journey

Example

The airline terminated the flight route to Osaka after demand dropped sharply.

transitive: terminate + [service/route]

Rohan's contract with the publishing house will terminate at the end of next month.

intransitive: [agreement] + will terminate

Common collocations
  • terminate a contract
  • terminate a service
  • terminate an agreement
  • terminate employment
  • terminate a call
Synonyms
  • end

    neutral and widely applicable; less formal than 'terminate'

  • cease

    slightly more formal; often used for processes or activities

  • cancel

    specifically for arrangements, subscriptions, or planned events

Antonyms
  • begin

    the starting point of any process

  • commence

    formal opposite, often used in legal or official language

Grammar Patterns

terminate + [noun phrase]

terminate at/in [place/time]

be terminated

Usage Note

Frequently used in formal contexts such as legal documents, business contracts, and official notices. In everyday conversation, simpler verbs like 'end,' 'stop,' or 'cancel' are more common.

Common Mistakes

I terminated my walk when it started raining.
I ended my walk when it started raining.
'terminate' sounds too formal for casual daily activities.

2. to officially dismiss someone from their job, typically because their performanc

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to officially dismiss someone from their job, typically because their performance is not adequate or because the employer no longer needs them

Example

The factory terminated fifteen workers after receiving fewer orders from overseas.

transitive: terminate + [number] + workers

Nellie was terminated from her position as head nurse after the medication error.

passive: be terminated from [position]

Common collocations
  • terminate employment
  • terminate a worker
  • terminate staff
  • terminate someone's contract
Synonyms
  • dismiss

    similar formality; common in British English

  • fire

    much less formal; direct and widely understood

  • lay off

    specifically when the reason is lack of work, not poor performance

Antonyms
  • hire

    the opposite action — bringing someone into a job

  • employ

    to give work to someone on a continuing basis

Grammar Patterns

terminate + [employee/person]

be terminated from [position]

Usage Note

A formal or euphemistic term for 'fire' or 'sack.' Common in corporate HR language and legal employment documents. The passive form ('was terminated') is especially frequent because it avoids directly naming who made the decision.

Common Mistakes

The boss terminated the receptionist yesterday.' (too personal for the boss–worker level)
The company terminated the receptionist's employment yesterday.
'terminate' pairs better with the employer as an organization or with 'employment' as the direct object.

3. to intentionally end a pregnancy through a medical procedure, usually during the

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to intentionally end a pregnancy through a medical procedure, usually during the early stages before the foetus can survive outside the womb

Example

Sana decided to terminate the pregnancy after discussing the options with her doctor.

collocation: terminate + the pregnancy

The clinic offers free counselling for women who are considering terminating a pregnancy.

Common collocations
  • terminate a pregnancy
  • terminate a foetus (technical)
  • decide to terminate
  • consider terminating
Synonyms
  • abort

    more direct and common; also refers to the medical procedure itself

  • end a pregnancy

    less formal circumlocution, used when a softer tone is desired

Grammar Patterns

terminate + pregnancy

terminate + a/the pregnancy

Usage Note

A formal medical term. In everyday conversation, 'have an abortion' is more common. This sense is often used in healthcare contexts, legal discussions about abortion rights, and professional medical writing.

Common Mistakes

She terminated because she was not ready.
She decided to terminate the pregnancy because she was not ready.
The direct object 'the pregnancy' is almost always stated; omitting it sounds incomplete in formal English.

terminate — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe something finishing, but they differ in formality and context. 'Terminate' is the most formal and is preferred in legal, business, and official contexts — a contract or service is terminated, not stopped. 'End' is the neutral, all-purpose word suitable for almost any situation ('the movie ended'). 'Cease' is also formal but focuses on the activity stopping, often implying a gradual process ('the noise ceased'). 'Cancel' means an arrangement or plan is called off before or during its course ('the flight was cancelled'). 'Stop' is the most direct and informal, fitting everyday speech ('the rain stopped'). For a job role, use 'dismiss' or 'fire' instead of 'terminate' in casual conversation: a person is fired, but their employment is terminated.

end ↗cease ↗cancel ↗stop ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • terminate with immediate effect
  • right to terminate
  • liable to terminate

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'terminatus', past participle of 'terminare' meaning 'to set boundaries, to limit, to end,' which comes from 'terminus' meaning 'a boundary, limit, end.' The word entered English in the late 15th century through French. The employment sense emerged in the mid-20th century as corporate language, and the medical sense referring to pregnancy followed in the 1960s and 1970s.