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
However, orbiters may slowly lose capability over time – the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s spectrometer instrument ceased operations in 2023, while its other instruments are still active. — Margaret Landis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026 The estate sent Parillo a cease-and-desist letter demanding the accounts be taken down. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 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 Oil shipments from Venezuela cease to Cuba. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 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
  • Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo XIV's physician, said the pontiff's recovery from lung cancer surgery won't stop plans for a visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Another to stop solving problems his team brings him and teach them to solve it instead.
    — Ben Plomion, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • After fumbling twice in Michigan State territory, halting offensive momentum, the Bruins were trailing going into the second quarter and tied 7-7 with three minutes left in the second quarter.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The guests seemed less upset by the death than by the news that their infusions would be halted.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of halt
Noun
  • Abrupt cessation of this class can even trigger a rebound worse than baseline.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Similarly, access to smoking-cessation treatment and harm-reduction resources varies substantially from country to country.
    — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of cessation
Verb
  • Melissa’s Law The statute of limitations expired on Highsmith’s case decades before she was found.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Doesn't expire Up to 50% off The TJ Maxx clearance section is one of the best ways to snag a deal at the retailer, with up to 50% off select styles.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of expire
Verb
  • Letter writer second-guesses history of avoidant behavior after one phone argument ends a decades-long friendship.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In a shocking upset, a student movement resoundingly beat longtime Serbian leader President Aleksandar Vucic, ending his time in power after 14 years.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of end
Noun
  • Even people who like the film will leave yowling at the ending.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But even though that conclusion would be many times less schmaltzy than the actual film’s ending, Ishiguro won’t give it to us.
    — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of ending
Verb
  • The feat concludes a pursuit that began in 2009, when Zhang first experimented with riding a motorcycle on water and overcame early failures to achieve his latest goal.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The meeting concluded with a general consensus among School Board members and City Council representatives to move forward with feasibility studies, cost breakdowns and formal design reviews before drafting a binding interlocal agreement.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • Continue reading ⦠CIVIC BREAKDOWN â Town's entire police force quits after bitter feud with city leaders boils over.
    — , FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After taking on their third client, Bordelon and Slocum quit their jobs to focus on The Brownstone Boys full-time.
    — Sophie Caldwell,Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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