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
There were signs in recent months that Berlin would cease blocking Britain and the other consortium members, Italy and Spain, from selling Ankara the European fighter. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 In Naypyitaw, almost all rescuers have ceased their relief efforts, while government buildings that were damaged by the earthquake have not yet been repaired and remain in their post-earthquake condition, said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons. Arkansas Online, 20 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
  • The sources said Unilever is threatening to halt the funding in retaliation for the lawsuit, and because one of the ice cream maker's founders has tried to buy back the frozen dessert maker.
    Jessica DiNapoli, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Trump swipes courts for halting deportation agenda 2.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Most of these disruptions begin to normalize soon after alcohol cessation.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • More severe complications can include apnea (the sudden, temporary cessation of breathing), pneumonia, rib fractures from severe coughing, and even death.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The plan allegedly started in April 2022, after the IPO lockup period expired and despite advisor warnings, including one from a capital markets consultant that such a trading plan likely breached Backblaze’s fiduciary duties.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The approach, pushed by some Senate Republicans, would essentially count the 2017 tax cuts, which expire this year, as ongoing policy that doesn't cost anything to extend.
    Claudia Grisales, NPR, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Major automakers want Congress to bar California's landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035 that has been adopted by 11 other states, warning the rules could begin impacting vehicle shipments in a few months.
    David Shepardson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The Windows 10 Security Blanket Even if Microsoft does stick with its plans to end support in October, Windows 10 users will have the safety net of Extended Support Updates.
    Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Weak Hero Class 2’s ending: Si-Eun’s master plan Ryeo Un as Park Hu-min, Lee Min-jae as Go Hyuntak Darae Lee/Netflix Weak Hero Class 2 builds to a massive showdown between the members of the Union and the Eunjang student body.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Sadly, by the time the ending — easy, predictable, full of hope — rolls around, the story is already fading from memory.
    Gabino Iglesias, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This Wedding Banquet concludes with a scene of Angela, Lee, Min, and Chris jointly raising two children, the kid Angela had after a drunken fling with Chris and the one Lee had through the IVF that Min funded.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The events will conclude with the beginning of the Novemdiales, a symbolic and procedural period of nine days of prayer, mourning and remembrance.
    Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There are myriad, clear alcohol health risks that can be improved by quitting drinking altogether or lowering alcohol consumption.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • That included taking calculated risks—such as quitting her make-ends-meet career as a registered nurse and declining an early deal with Walmart.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cease. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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