terminate
Meaning
To terminate is to bring to an end or conclude a process, agreement, or relationship, often with a formal or definitive action; it implies a cessation that may be involuntary or imposed, particularly in legal, contractual, or organizational contexts.
💡 The term is often used in legal and formal contexts; it is important to distinguish it from less severe terms like "suspend" or "pause," which do not imply a permanent end.
Example Sentences
Word in Context
When
the
project
repeatedly
missed
its
milestones
,
the
steering
committee
met
to
review
the
schedule
and
budget
.
After
a
careful
audit
of
the
deliverables
and
several
warnings
that
went
unheeded
,
they
concluded
that
the
only
viable
option
was
to
terminate
the
contract
with
the
external
supplier
.
Before
taking
that
step
,
the
managers
checked
the
termination
clause
and
sought
legal
advice
to
ensure
that
any
action
would
comply
with
the
agreed
terms
.
They
also
drafted
a
transition
plan
to
minimise
disruption
to
clients
and
to
reassign
critical
tasks
to
internal
teams
.
Although
the
decision
was
difficult
,
everyone
accepted
that
a
decisive
,
documented
closure
would
allow
the
work
to
be
restructured
and
recommence
on
firmer
ground
.
Common Phrases
terminate a contract
terminate employment
terminate proceedings
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Words
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