terminate

USAGE SUMMARY

'terminate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean either to end something or to remove someone from their job or position. For example: "The company terminated the contract with their supplier due to consistent delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Arnold Schwarzenegger is apparently on a mission to terminate the myth that protecting the environment hurts the economy.

The Guardian - Film

"The policy should further consider whether all future funding agreements should contain a clause that stipulates that it is a condition of Australia Council funding that the applicant does not unreasonably refuse private sector funding, or does not unreasonably terminate an existing funding agreement with a private partner," Brandis wrote.

The Guardian

The girl at the heart of this story had been raped in Dublin and sought to terminate her pregnancy in England.

The Guardian

They have been aided and abetted in their attempt to terminate Miliband's political career by citing criticisms from a range of Labour MPs.

The Guardian

The momentum for change on abortion laws has intensified since the Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar died from blood poisoning after a Galway hospital refused to terminate her pregnancy last autumn.

The Guardian

The report also told the Rwandan government to terminate its agreement with the BBC, which allows the corporation to broadcast in the most common local language on FM.

The Guardian

In return, the US and EU will terminate all nuclear-related economic sanctions on Iran once the UN nuclear agency confirms that Iran has complied.

The Guardian

A first-round lead would most likely terminate that media embargo.

The New York Times - Sports

Olivier Kapo signed a contract with the club which allowed us to terminate on 10 January 2011.

The Guardian - Sport

Should the Client not supply a revised Mock-up or should the revised Mock-up (and any subsequent revised versions) be rejected by GNM, this Agreement shall immediately terminate and the Client shall have no further rights in relation to the Mock-up or GNM's IPR. 8. GNM acknowledges that: 8.1.

The Guardian

GNM may suspend and/or terminate provision of all or part of the Services if the Client is in arrears with the payment of Fees at any time and the Client's Contact Person has been given 7 days written notice prior to suspension and/or termination.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Leverage "terminate" in formal documents or announcements where a precise and unambiguous indication of ending something is required.

Common error

Avoid using "terminate" in informal contexts where a less formal word like "end" or "stop" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal terms can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "terminate" is as a verb, indicating the action of bringing something to an end. As Ludwig AI states, it means either to end something or to remove someone from their job or position. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from ending agreements to ending employment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terminate" is a verb primarily used to indicate the formal ending of something, whether it's a contract, employment, or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, it's crucial to use "terminate" where a definitive and often legal or contractual conclusion is intended. While synonyms like "end", "conclude", and "dismiss" exist, "terminate" carries a stronger connotation of finality and authority. Therefore, understanding its appropriate use ensures clarity and precision in professional and formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring to an end

Emphasizes the action of concluding something, often implying a deliberate decision.

put an end to

Similar to "bring to an end" but can also suggest stopping something negative or undesirable.

conclude

Implies a formal or natural ending, often used in the context of meetings or agreements.

discontinue

Suggests stopping something that was ongoing, such as a service or a practice.

break off

Indicates an abrupt ending, especially in relationships or negotiations.

dismiss

Often used in the context of employment, meaning to remove someone from a job.

lay off

Specifically refers to the temporary or permanent removal of employees, often due to economic reasons.

axe

Informal term for terminating something, usually a project or a program, implying a sudden and decisive action.

close out

Suggests finalizing or completing a task, project, or account.

call off

Means to cancel or abandon a planned event or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "terminate" in a sentence?

"Terminate" can be used to indicate the end of something, such as "The company decided to terminate the contract." It can also refer to ending employment, as in "The employee's contract was terminated".

What are some alternatives to "terminate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "end", "conclude", "discontinue", or "dismiss".

What's the difference between "terminate" and "end"?

"Terminate" often implies a more formal or official ending than "end". While "end" is a general term for ceasing something, "terminate" suggests a deliberate and often legal or contractual conclusion.

When is it appropriate to use "terminate" in professional writing?

"Terminate" is suitable in formal and professional contexts, such as legal documents, business communications, and official announcements, where a clear and authoritative tone is needed.