High-order　sliding　mode　control　techniques　are　proposed　for　uncertain　nonlinear　SISO　systems　with　bounded　uncertainties　based　on　two　different　terminal　sliding　mode　approaches.　The　tracking　error　of　the　output　converges　to　zero　in　finite　time　by　designing　a　terminal　sliding　mode　controller.　In　addition,　the　adaptive　control　method　is　employed　to　identify　bounded　uncertainties　for　eliminating　the　requirement　of　boundaries　needed　in　the　conventional　design.　The　controllers　are　derived　using　Lyapunov　theory,　so　the　stability　of　the　closed-loop　system　is　guaranteed.　In　the　first　technique,　the　developed　procedure　removes　the　reaching　phase　of　sliding　mode　and　realizes　global　robustness.　The　proposed　algorithms　ensure　establishment　of　high-order　sliding　mode.　An　illustrative　example　of　a　car　control　demonstrates　effectiveness　of　the　presented　designs.　Copyright　(C)　2011　John　Wiley　&　Sons,　Ltd.