What is the antonym of “initiate”?
The antonyms of initiate are terminate, cease, and conclude. These words convey the opposite meaning of starting or beginning something. They imply ending, stopping, or finishing an action or process.
Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To bring to an end; to conclude or finish.
Example
The company decided to terminate the project due to budget constraints.
To stop or discontinue an action or process.
Example
The rain had ceased by the time we arrived at the park.
To bring to a close; to finish or end.
Example
The meeting was concluded with a vote on the proposal.
How are these antonyms different from each other?
- 1Terminate implies a more formal or official ending, often related to contracts, agreements, or employment.
- 2Cease is a more general term that can refer to any type of stopping or discontinuing an action or process.
- 3Conclude is a broader term that can refer to any type of ending or finishing, including events, discussions, or processes.
Good things to know
- 1Business: Use terminate in legal or contractual contexts to indicate the end of an agreement or relationship.
- 2Everyday Life: Use cease to describe stopping an action or process, such as noise, movement, or activity.
- 3Academic Writing: Use conclude to summarize findings or arguments in research papers, essays, or reports.
Remember this!
The antonyms of initiate are terminate, cease, and conclude. These words convey the opposite meaning of starting or beginning something. Use terminate for formal or official endings, cease for general stopping or discontinuing, and conclude for summarizing findings or arguments.
