cease 1 of 2

Definition of ceasenext

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 Village People’s 2025 Trump inauguration performances came just two years after Karen-Huff Willis sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026 The group also wants the university to cease ties with Israeli academic institutions and to support free speech. Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Noun
He’s consistently maintained, though, that real, live goals from his first line would at some point cease to be optional. Sean Gentille, New York Times, 3 June 2026 However, operators often hide behind fictitious or stolen identities and fail to comply with cease-and-desist letters; meanwhile, hosting servers are often untraceable, shielded by anonymization techniques or by being located in countries where legal enforcement is extremely difficult. Emma Woollacott, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cease
Verb
  • When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Making new friends isn’t something that has to stop at a certain point in your life.
    Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The blaze, which officials at one point estimated could reach 50 acres, had been halted at 5 acres.
    Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Three cases reached the Supreme Court under emergency requests to halt deportation flights.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Freight rates rose rapidly in May as carriers added more fuel surcharges and general rate increases amid the war in Iran and near-cessation of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
  • Now its people should rise up and demand a cessation of cruelty that threatens to paint another stain of shame on the legacy of this great nation.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Unlike the federal tax credits that expired in September, these incentives offer an instant discount and don’t require buyers to apply for credit later.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • After that agreement expires, the government and Estrada may extend that on an annual basis.
    Sofi Zeman July 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Kirby gave up a one-out double to Josh Lowe in the fifth but struck out the side — including Neto — to end the inning.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Skratch also interviewed other sources for its story who hinted at potential infidelity by Mickelson amid abrupt endings of memberships at other golf clubs.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Wait, wasn’t the original happy ending supposed to have our protagonist pairing up with his son?
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The region’s air quality alerts associated with the Fourth of July concluded Sunday afternoon.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • After the hearing concludes, state District Judge Tony Graf must determine if the case should proceed.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • In it, Pearson delivered an opening monologue about his desire to quit dancing.
    Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Two years into what was intended to be a seven-year apprenticeship, Walton quit and followed his siblings south.
    Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cease. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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