TERMINAL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

terminal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtərm-nəl

Definition of terminal

as in final

following all others of the same kind in order or time took me to the terminal point of that bus route

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death a form of cancer that is usually terminal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

terminal

2 of 2

noun

as in depot

Related Words

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

The pair had a fractured, even abusive, relationship, depicted in a series of flashbacks, until Mitt chose to end his life in the sea rather than succumb to a terminal case of cancer. — David MacK, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 Although Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was shuttered after the attack — more than 99% of flights were canceled, according to the aviation analytics firm Cirium — the Houthis struck another terminal building Sunday, killing one person. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Noun

Newer signs taped to windows hope to stop the local wharf from becoming a corporate grain terminal. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026 Toledo’s fire department ordered everyone within a one-mile radius of the tank terminal to evacuate and everyone within a three-mile radius to shelter in place. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terminal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terminal

Adjective

Junior finance candidates at GoCardless used to be given a data set and a copy of Excel as part of the final round of testing.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Future vehicles will also be able to check their electrical connections during assembly, potentially eliminating a final electrical validation step.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of final

Noun

Juba, South SudanAP — A drone strike on a market in Abyei, a border region disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, hit a nearby fuel depot, killing at least 153 people and igniting a fire that was still burning Tuesday, a local official said.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
The Saudi strike on the oil depot appeared to be in response to the Houthis’ attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday that killed 13 people and left over 300 injured.

— Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of depot

Adjective

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
The American Western drama is the latest of Taylor Sheridan's ever-growing Yellowstone franchise surrounding the legacy of the Dutton family from west of the Mississippi.

— Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Feb. 2023

Definition of latest

Adjective

Police charged 52-year-old Mooresville resident Rod Moskowitz with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, court records show.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Memories are fresh of the nationwide protests sparked by economic pressures that led to a deadly crackdown weeks before the war.

— Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

One flight last week leaving from al-Qassim airport north of Riyadh to Geneva, sold for €94,000 ($105,000), compared with a price of about €60,000 ($67,000) before the closure of the main airport in Riyadh.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
As of last week, Moore is calling offensive plays for the Cougars, and the team has also made a change at quarterback.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of last

Adjective

Speed cameras have been shown to reduce speeding by 31% to 82% and fatal crashes by 53% to 71%, according to the Department of Transportation.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Kumar faces two counts of first-degree manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person in Deschutes County stemming from the fatal wreck.

— Eric Mack , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

The question is whether the post-closing company can afford to do all of it while servicing that debt, integrating two enormous businesses, achieving the synergies its financing assumes, funding streaming and deleveraging on schedule.

— Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
In my experience, IP analysis also impacts post-closing integration assumptions around product and platform continuity, as well as revenue protection mechanisms tied to exclusivity and licensing integrity.

— Keegan Caldwell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of closing

Browse Nearby Words

terminable

terminal

terminals

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Style

“Terminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terminal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of terminal

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of terminal

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to terminal

The Mythical Origins of 'Terminator'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on terminal

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Word of the Day

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Popular in Wordplay

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How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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Games & Quizzes