# terminate vs terminator

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### terminate
*verb · IPA /ˈtɜːmɪneɪt/ · frequency rank #12,153*
To end something, especially when left in an incomplete state.

### terminator
*noun · IPA /ˈtɜː.mɪ.neɪ.tə/ · frequency rank #20,247*
Someone who terminates or ends something, especially (in later use) an assassin or exterminator.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/terminate-vs-terminator