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
Amid the wreckage, popular feminism in the United States ceased to be a matter of political organization and transformed instead into a personal identity. Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025 In Illinois, the state Department of Agriculture also said the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, which offers better market opportunities and new streams of revenue to small and mid-sized agricultural producers, also ceased to operate. Bloomberg News, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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 Amid calls from the United States and other nations for an immediate cease fire, protests against the war broke out on college campuses across the U.S. and the world over the past few months. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for cease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cease
Verb
  • Has Bacteria-Fighting Properties A study found that ACV helped stop the growth of two harmful bacteria: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli).
    Johna Burdeos, Health, 7 Apr. 2025
  • He belly flopped onto the ice in ecstasy and relief before he was mobbed by his teammates, and then the game stopped to celebrate the greatest goal scorer who ever lived.
    Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In Afghanistan, where over 23 million people rely on aid, the cuts will end food support for millions, halt care for malnourished children, and disrupt maternal health services.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Besides Boise, the airline’s operations in some other locations, including in Montana and Utah, will be halted to divert resources to its new base in Phoenix, the Press Democrat reported.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Cuts to smoking prevention and cessation programs, for example, don’t square with the aim of decreasing rates of chronic disease.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Any deal that eases sanctions or normalizes Russia's global standing should come with an end to weapons transfers to Iran and Syria and a cessation of military cooperation that enhances Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Many of the tariffs on Chinese products remained in place during the Joe Biden administration while others expired.
    Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The manual lacks instructions on timer and temperature usage, and there is no confirmation that the automatic shut-off feature is effective when the timer expires.
    Jordan Liberty Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Pinch hitter Gavin Lux followed with a walk, but two straight flyouts ended that threat.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Afterwards, final voting commences on August 18 and ends the night of August 27.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Season 3 left off in a dire place — in a shocking twist ending, Ava betrayed Deborah after the comedian had stabbed her in the back by naming someone else as the head writer of her new late-night show.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • So the ending of the record is getting up onto the top of the moors and screaming at the sky—and off and into the clouds, and then we’re gone.
    Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Gannon concluded his 17-year NFL career with impressive statistics: 28,743 passing yards and 180 touchdowns.
    Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • After the video concluded, Dončić wiped away tears before joining his teammates.
    Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Among the factors: ESOPs outperform non-ESOPs in job retention, pay, and workplace health safety and lower voluntary worker quit rates.
    Mary Josephs, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Despite Hill being overtly frustrated about the end of the season, quitting on a team is never the right move.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cease. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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