cease 1 of 2

cease

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cease distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cease are desist, discontinue, quit, and stop. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality.

by nightfall the fighting had ceased

When can desist be used instead of cease?

The words desist and cease can be used in similar contexts, but desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

In what contexts can discontinue take the place of cease?

The synonyms discontinue and cease are sometimes interchangeable, but discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When is it sensible to use quit instead of cease?

While in some cases nearly identical to cease, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

When would stop be a good substitute for cease?

In some situations, the words stop and cease are roughly equivalent. However, stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cease
Verb
The company also ceased participation in workplace inclusion benchmarks such as the Human Rights Campaign's Equality Index. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 State of play: About 5,600 Arkansans receive Social Security payments by paper check, part of the nearly half a million Americans who will be affected by President Trump's order that will cease Social Security payments by paper check. Alex Golden, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
At his press conference on Thursday, Biden countered his debate showing to some extent by delivering substantive answers to complex foreign policy situations, including the war in Ukraine and the potential cease fire in Gaza. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 July 2024 The song was set for a March 2024 release, but allegedly, Drake put a legal stop to it with a cease & desist. Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 1 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for cease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cease
Verb
  • The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.
    Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In Afghanistan, where over 23 million people rely on aid, the cuts will end food support for millions, halt care for malnourished children, and disrupt maternal health services.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, Venezuelan advocates recommend re-registering as soon as possible to avoid any potential disruptions in case an unfavorable ruling halts the registration process.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Cuts to smoking prevention and cessation programs, for example, don’t square with the aim of decreasing rates of chronic disease.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Any deal that eases sanctions or normalizes Russia's global standing should come with an end to weapons transfers to Iran and Syria and a cessation of military cooperation that enhances Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The fate of president of basketball operations James Jones is not yet known, but his contract expires at the end of June, league sources said, and Ishbia is widely expected to consider new candidates for the role.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire at the end of this year, Washington is debating tax reform behind closed doors, and their decisions will reverberate through every corner of American life.
    Jack Salmon, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lawmakers can typically override a governor’s veto with another vote on the bill if the legislation receives two-thirds support from each chamber, though the Idaho Legislature ended this year’s regular legislative session early this month.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Museum of African-American History Faces Uncertain Future After Federal Grant Terminated The Museum of African American History in Boston is facing financial uncertainty after the federal government abruptly ended its three-year grant.
    Oumou Fofana, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As previously reported, the actor is set to reprise his role on the offshoot, and this bit of info from Harvey, tying Hardman to Ted’s Big Bad, certainly helps piece together the why and how, as does, possibly, the episode’s ending.
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Drake was also accused of refusing to identify a person who rewrote the ending of the film, and who was not a guild member.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The audience peaked with around 21.1M viewers as the nail-biting game, in which the Gators trailed for a majority of the time, was concluding.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
  • After the video concluded, Dončić wiped away tears before joining his teammates.
    Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Despite Hill being overtly frustrated about the end of the season, quitting on a team is never the right move.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Beginning in April 2020, parents of former Squad members — who had all quit over the toxic work environment — began to contact various authorities over Smith’s business operation, according to the Los Angeles Times.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cease. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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