DISCONTINUE Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'discontinue' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of discontinue are cease , desist , quit , and stop . While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice. // we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

Q: When might 'cease' be a better fit than 'discontinue'?

In some situations, the words cease and discontinue are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: When can 'desist' be used instead of 'discontinue'?

While the synonyms desist and discontinue are close in meaning, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing. // desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Q: When is it sensible to use 'quit' instead of 'discontinue'?

The meanings of quit and discontinue largely overlap; however, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing. // the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

Q: When could 'stop' be used to replace 'discontinue'?

The words stop and discontinue can be used in similar contexts, but stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness. // stopped at the red light

discontinue

verb

ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü

Definition of discontinue next

as in to cease

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the editors were told to discontinue the printing of rumors in the student paper immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abandon

to stop doing (something) permanently we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stop

to come to an end publication of the magazine will discontinue at the end of the year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word discontinue distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of discontinue are cease, desist, quit, and stop. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When might cease be a better fit than discontinue?

In some situations, the words cease and discontinue are roughly equivalent. However, 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 discontinue?

While the synonyms desist and discontinue are close in meaning, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When is it sensible to use quit instead of discontinue?

The meanings of quit and discontinue largely overlap; however, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

When could stop be used to replace discontinue?

The words stop and discontinue can be used in similar contexts, but 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 discontinue Jim Rutledge was master distiller at the time, and the blended whiskey was discontinued to focus on straight bourbon made from the distillery’s 10 different recipes (two mashbills, five yeast strains). —

Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2026 By the 1960s, environmentalists successfully discontinued the ritual, pointing to the destruction and litter that the practice left in its wake. —

Mary Beth Skylis, Outside, 7 Feb. 2026 Minute Maid’s frozen juices — including several varieties of orange juice, lemonade and limeade — will be discontinued by April, with inventory available while supplies last, Coca-Cola said. —

Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 From fine wine to freezer juice … Minute Maid’s frozen juices are being discontinued after 80 years. —

Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discontinue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinue

Verb

University of Arkansas men's basketball Coach John Calipari has ceased box-out drills.

— Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Based on the timeline laid out by the district attorney’s office, all attempts to find Proctor ceased after Gascón was defeated by current Los Angeles County Dist.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Definition of cease

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“Discontinue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinue. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of discontinue

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