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terminal

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective terminal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of terminal are final, last, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When would final be a good substitute for terminal?

In some situations, the words final and terminal are roughly equivalent. However, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When is it sensible to use last instead of terminal?

The meanings of last and terminal largely overlap; however, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book
last news we had of him

Where would ultimate be a reasonable alternative to terminal?

The words ultimate and terminal can be used in similar contexts, but ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of terminal
Adjective
The night before that Ryman debut, his father, Pat Acuff, died after a terminal illness. Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2024 Wireless connectivity also underpins high-definition screens, information kiosks, self-service stations, baggage tracking systems and various other terminal services. Julie Song, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Today there are more than 250 stores across the country and five kiosks scattered throughout Los Angeles International Airport terminals, which, when the holiday travel rush gets underway, may be the perfect place to stock up on last-minute stocking stuffers — Santa-shaped or otherwise. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 More than 325,000 people subscribe to the terminal, and Bloomberg employs 20,000 people. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for terminal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terminal
Adjective
  • Despite its resemblance to past Continentals, the new plug-in hybrid represents one of the final lines in the sand for internal combustion, whose timeline has been pushed into the future.
    Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024
  • In its final vote Friday, the board decided in an 8-7 vote to approve the curriculum.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The arachnids have become the lethal poisonous animal in Brazil and has increased the demand for antivenom.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Snares, set to capture other animals for bushmeat, pose a lethal risk to saolas, who often fall victim to these traps accidentally. Cheap and easy to deploy, snares blanket the forests, endangering not just the saola but a wide range of species.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Kyiv has doggedly targeted ammunition depots storing North Korean munitions in recent months.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The joint venture partners may also be awarded an additional 10.8 billion ringgit contract involving works on the Xizhi Donghu MRT’s depot and rail extension projects for the Keelung and Minsheng MRT lines.
    Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
  • The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • However, the voyage takes a deadly turn when a dangerous political assassin aboard the ship, Richard Loffler (Kevin Durand), escapes custody and releases the animals to create chaos.
    Travis Bean, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Boyd serves as the de facto leader of the community, tasked with maintaining order and protecting the townspeople from the deadly creatures lurking in the woods.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Weekly raw milk sales were up in May by as much as 65% compared with the same period last year, the AP reported.
    Natalie Daher, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Kidman has a close relationship with Balenciaga, having been named a brand ambassador for the fashion house late last year, joining Isabelle Huppert, Michelle Yeoh and Kim Kardashian.
    Hannah Malach, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • All of the women were denied abortions despite facing fatal fetal diagnoses, life-threatening health risks or both.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The fatal collision remains under investigation by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.
    Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Four counts of unlawful use of an infectious biological substance or radiological agent, a Class 2 felony.
    Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Sullivan and Sokoloff pay respectful homage to their cinematic inspiration in the first montage, showing the guys’ infectious love of dance crossing over to their daily lives — cooking at the grill, storing a toolbox and making cocktails.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near terminal

Cite this Entry

“Terminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminal. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on terminal

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