ceasefire
noun
cease·fire
ˈsēs-ˈfi(-ə)r 
variants
or less commonly cease-fire
plural ceasefires also cease-fires
1
: a military order to cease firing
2
: a suspension of active hostilities
Examples of ceasefire in a Sentence
the two armies declared a ceasefire for the holiday
Recent Examples on the Web
The lawmakers emphasized that even during wartime, Christmas ceasefires have long been observed, pointing to World War I as a notable example.
—
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
After the ceasefire in 1953, millions of families were left separated by the military demarcation line until the Korean Red Cross jumped in to help identify and connect families.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Haya to discuss the ceasefire's second phase, according to ministry officials.
—Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025
Even though a ceasefire is in force, many haven’t been able to return to their homes because much of the enclave has been reduced to rubble.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025
Photographer Saher Alghorra had just finished covering Hamas’ handover of the Israeli hostages under the ceasefire agreement when he was headed to Khan Younis to document the release of Palestinian prisoners.
—Time Photo Department, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
Israeli strikes continue in southern and eastern Lebanon despite a ceasefire.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2025
The Houthis have since stopped the attacks in the wake of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but industry concerns still remain.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
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.
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
After the ceasefire in 1953, millions of families were left separated by the military demarcation line until the Korean Red Cross jumped in to help identify and connect families.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Haya to discuss the ceasefire's second phase, according to ministry officials.
—Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025
Even though a ceasefire is in force, many haven’t been able to return to their homes because much of the enclave has been reduced to rubble.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025
Photographer Saher Alghorra had just finished covering Hamas’ handover of the Israeli hostages under the ceasefire agreement when he was headed to Khan Younis to document the release of Palestinian prisoners.
—Time Photo Department, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
Israeli strikes continue in southern and eastern Lebanon despite a ceasefire.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2025
The Houthis have since stopped the attacks in the wake of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but industry concerns still remain.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ceasefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceasefire. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share