cease 1 of 2

verb

ˈsēs How to pronounce cease (audio)
Definition of ceasenext
1
as in to stop
to come to an end the rain finally ceased, and we were able to continue the baseball game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to halt
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end cease chattering and get down to work, please

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cease

2 of 2

noun

as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity worked without cease for the betterment of humanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Founder David DeHaney, who set up the company in 2016, announced the decision to cease trading and appoint an administrator on Thursday. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 2 July 2026 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
Noun
The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding with an immediate cease fire this week after four months of hostilities. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 19 June 2026 The filing also alleges that Samsung continued using the image despite receiving cease-and-desist demands from the singer's representatives. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cease
  1. stop
  2. halt
  3. cessation
  4. expire
  5. end
  6. ending
  7. conclude
  8. quit
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
Definition of stop
Verb
  • In past years, Disneyland has halted the Anaheim resident deal before the official end of the promotion.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 6 July 2026
  • In a March letter to the state, 11 board members called for the program to be halted, citing the risks of automatically renewing medicines that can have side effects or drug interactions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Definition of halt
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
Definition of cessation
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
Definition of expire
Verb
  • Despite an energized crowd, the US fell short against Belgium 4-1, ending a wild run for the host country.
    — Doug Duran, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Romelu Lukaku scored the fourth goal just at the end of stoppage time, and ending the USMNT’s dreams.
    — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of end
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
Definition of ending
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
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • Herzog won a power struggle in the front office, then quit anyway, amid disputes with ownership.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The much-ballyhooed heavyweight boxing match between Mike Tyson and Andrew Golota ends abruptly when Golota quits after the second round; later Golota is hospitalized with a concussion.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026
Definition of quit

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Cite this Entry

“Cease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cease. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cease

Nglish: Translation of cease for Spanish Speakers

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