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Language Foundation

terminate

to bring a contract to an end so that it stops being in effect

In plain English

This means ending the agreement, not just changing it or putting it on hold. Once it is terminated, the contract no longer has effect.

In context

Here, terminate denotes the action that would bring the contract to an end so that it is no longer in effect.

Situation
Processing amendments, renewals, extensions, suspension, and termination
What it communicates
offers the action to end the contract in the lifecycle menu

Meaning limits

The term itself does not indicate whether the contract ends immediately or at a later time.

Examples

“Rather than suspend the contract during the dispute, the owner terminated it.”

Core meaning

“A serious breach can terminate the contract.”

In context

  • expire Contrast

    Both involve a contract no longer being in effect, but expire means it ends by reaching its end point rather than by a party ending it.

  • end Broader Term

    A more general verb for causing something to stop being in effect.