1.
end, demise, termination, passing
The final end of something significant — a life, an era, or a long-running phenomenon. A literary and somewhat solemn word that conveys finality and gravity.
帝国の終焉を迎えた。
The empire met its end.
この事件が長い平和の時代の終焉を告げた。
This incident heralded the end of the long era of peace.
彼は故郷の家で静かに終焉の時を迎えた。
He quietly met the end of his days at his family home in his hometown.
USAGE:
A literary and formal word used for weighty, significant endings. Not used for everyday endings like the end of a meeting or a TV show. Appropriate for the fall of civilizations, the end of eras, or someone's death (in a dignified register).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 終わり: end (general, everyday)
- 終結: conclusion (used for wars, negotiations)
- 最期: one's final moments, death
- 滅亡: downfall, destruction (stronger, implies ruin)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 終焉を迎える: to meet one's end
- 終焉を告げる: to herald the end
- 終焉の地: the place where one met their end
- 終焉の時: the time of one's end