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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

Example 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
In the sequel, Cruise’s Maverick confides in Iceman, who is battling a terminal disease, about whether to send his protégé Rooster (Miles Teller) on a potentially fatal mission. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025 Our head, chest, armpit, and pubic hair consists of terminal hairs. Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
American operates from all five terminals at DFW Airport. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2025 Among the assets are terminals on either side of the Panama Canal, a strategic maritime choke point that handles about 5 percent of global seaborne trade. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terminal
Adjective
  • These concerns appeared to strike a chord—at least in part—with U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken, who brought up the issue several times during this week’s fairness hearing over whether to grant the settlement’s final approval.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The squad soon discovers the job is a suicide mission and must choose between redemption or the final termination of their close brotherhood.
    Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • When carboxyhemoglobin saturation exceeds 50%, it is considered lethal.
    CBS News, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Astronauts on a mission to Mars lasting several years would be exposed to potentially lethal amounts of radiation, Pitts said.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Grima designed these incredible balloon structures in the atrium of the depot.
    Laura May Todd, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • After landing in February 2021 in the Jezero Crater, the robot, controlled remotely from Earth, spent nearly four years searching for and collecting more than two dozen rock samples – many of which are stored at the first-ever depot on another planet for future retrieval.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
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
  • As fate would have it, the very destructive and deadly wildfires that swept through Los Angeles neighborhoods this year erupted as its city officials were struggling to close a large gap in their budget.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • She was originally charged with manslaughter – typical in a deadly hit-and-run case – but authorities later tacked on the murder charge.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Mark Vientos, who had a breakout season last year, has also struggled to hit, and especially hitting with runners on base.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • At this time last year, five homicides were reported in the city.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Black lung, a debilitating and often fatal condition caused by inhalation of coal and silica dust during mining, affects roughly 1 in 5 miners who have worked in the Central Appalachian mines for twenty-five years or more, according to NIOSH.
    Dr. Mark Abdelmalek, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The day of the fatal fall, Goodwin said Bass had checked on Tidus and his brother minutes prior, and then had stepped outside with the dog.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But nothing compares to the infectious jubilation that occurs during the four-day celebration of Cup Match at the end of July and early August.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
  • For example, in 2023, there was an outbreak of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus that led to the death of thousands of cats.
    Jackie (Ott) Jaakola, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminal. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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