end

n.

1. Purpose

   aim, object, intention; see purpose 1.

2. The close of an action

   expiration, completion, termination, adjournment, final event, ending, close, denouement, finish, conclusion, arrangement, finale, cessation, discontinuation, target date, deadline, retirement, accomplishment, attainment, determination, achievement, fulfillment, payoff, realization, period, consummation, concluding part, culmination, perfection, execution, performance, last line, finis, epilogue, closing piece, closing scene, curtain, terminus, omega, last word, swan song, bottom line*, wrap-up*, windup*, beginning of the end, cutoff*, mopping up*, end of the line*.

   Antonyms beginning, start*, opening. *

3. A result

   conclusion, effect, outcome, upshot; see result.

4. The extremity

   terminal, termination, terminus, boundary, limit, borderline, border, bound(s), point, stub, stump, tail end, edge, tip, top, head, butt end, nib, pole, remnant, fragment.

   Antonyms center*, middle*, hub. *

5. The close of life

   demise, passing, doom; see death 1.

keep one's end up*

make (both) ends meet*

no end*

on end

1. ceaselessly, without interruption, continuously; see consecutively, regularly 2.

2. straight, vertical, standing up;

put an end to

end

v.

1. To bring to a halt

   stop, finish, quit, close, halt, terminate, conclude, complete, terminate, settle, shut down, leave off, switch off, bring to an end, make an end of, wind up, get done, break off, adjourn, break up, leave unfinished, relinquish, put an end to, discontinue, cut off, cut short, abort, postpone, play out, interrupt, dispose of, drop, give up, call it a day*, call it quits*, pull the plug*, put the lid on*, call off*, choke off*, ring down the curtain*, wrap up*. *

   Antonyms begin*, initiate*, start. *

2. To bring to a conclusion

   complete, settle, conclude, terminate; see achieve 1.

3. To come to an end

   desist, cease, die, peter out*; see stop 2.

4. To die

   expire, depart, pass away; see die 1.

to end means to stop some process, whether or not it has been satisfactorily completed let's end this argument; to close is to come or bring to a stop, as if by shutting something regarded as previously open nominations are now closed; to conclude is to bring or come to a formal termination, often involving some final arrangement, decision, or action to conclude negotiations; to finish is to bring to a desired end that which one has set out to do, as by adding perfecting touches to finish a painting; to complete is to finish by filling in the missing or defective parts the award completed his happiness; to terminate is to bring or come to an end regarded as a limit or boundary to terminate a privilege