The difference between Discontinue and Terminate

When used as verbs, discontinue means to interrupt the continuance of, whereas terminate means to end, especially in an incomplete state.


Terminate is also adjective with the meaning: terminated.

check bellow for the other definitions of Discontinue and Terminate

  1. Discontinue as a verb:

    To interrupt the continuance of; to put an end to, especially as regards commercial productions; to stop producing, making, or supplying something.

    Examples:

    "They plan to discontinue that design."

  1. Terminate as a verb (transitive, or, intransitive):

    To end, especially in an incomplete state.

    Examples:

    "to terminate a surface by a line"

    "to terminate an effort, or a controversy"

  2. Terminate as a verb (transitive, or, intransitive):

    To set or be a limit or boundary to.

  3. Terminate as a verb (transitive, euphemistic):

    To kill.

  4. Terminate as a verb (transitive, euphemistic):

    To end the employment contract of an employee; to fire, lay off.

  1. Terminate as an adjective:

    Terminated; limited; bounded; ended.

  2. Terminate as an adjective:

    Having a definite and clear limit or boundary; having a determinate size, shape or magnitude.

    Examples:

    "Mountains on the Moon cast shadows that are very dark, terminate and more distinct than those cast by mountains on the Earth."

  3. Terminate as an adjective (mathematics):

    Expressible in a finite number of terms; (of a decimal) not recurring or infinite.

    Examples:

    "One third is a recurring decimal, but one half is a terminate decimal."