QUIT Synonyms: 352 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of quit are cease , desist , discontinue , and stop . While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing. // the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

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

The words cease and quit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is 'desist' a more appropriate choice than 'quit'?

While the synonyms desist and quit 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 would 'discontinue' be a good substitute for 'quit'?

While in some cases nearly identical to quit , discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice. // we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

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

In some situations, the words stop and quit 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

quit 1 of 2

verb

ˈkwit

Definition of quit next

as in to leave

to give up (a job or office) he decided to quit his job at the fast-food restaurant

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abandon

to stop doing (something) permanently her doctor told her it was high time she quit smoking

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as in to stop

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end quit pestering your coworkers with pointless questions

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as in to forsake

to cause to remain behind he quit the house sometime around nine this morning and hasn't been seen since

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as in to succumb

to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) tried to persuade his daughter to remain at home, but eventually he just quit and let her go out on her own

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as in to cease

to come to an end will this teasing ever quit?

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as in to pay

to give what is owed for eager to quit all debts before starting married life

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repudiate

as in to depart

to leave a place often for another we plan to quit the amusement park around seven tonight and then head to the diner for some food

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as in to behave

to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way I thought the kids quitted themselves quite well at the concert tonight

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quit

2 of 2

adjective

as in free

no longer burdened with something unpleasant or painful I am finally quit of that terrible task

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word quit distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of quit are cease, desist, discontinue, and stop. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

When is it sensible to use cease instead of quit?

The words cease and quit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is desist a more appropriate choice than quit?

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

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When would discontinue be a good substitute for quit?

While in some cases nearly identical to quit, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When could stop be used to replace quit?

In some situations, the words stop and quit 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 quit

Verb

The departure follows in the wake of a number of European cinema bodies and figures quitting X in recent months – including the Berlinale and Venice head Alberto Barbera – amid concerns about a surge in disinformation and abusive content on the platform since Musk took ownership in 2022. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025 Whitney’s successfully pressures university officials to implement mental and physical safety regulations for student athletes and rejoins the soccer team after quitting to prioritize her health. —

Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025 Gibson eventually upgraded to an old fashioned pit built up off the ground and quit his job at the railroad to pursue his BBQ business full-time. —

Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025 The report also found that although cases of lung cancer declined overall from 2012 to 2021, the decrease was slower in women — most likely because women were slower to take up heavy smoking and slower to quit, said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society. —

Aria Bendix, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for quit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quit

Verb

Playful princess Kate Middleton enjoyed helping a 4-year-old girl leave a handprint at a children’s hospice — and ended up with one herself.

— Simon Perry, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025
The organization had strict policies in place, but the lack of proper training and infrastructure left gaps.

— Lauren Carpenter, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025