ceasefire

noun

cease·​fire ˈsēs-ˈfi(-ə)r How to pronounce ceasefire (audio)
variants or less commonly cease-fire
plural ceasefires also cease-fires
1
: a military order to cease firing
2
: a suspension of active hostilities

Examples of ceasefire in a Sentence

the two armies declared a ceasefire for the holiday
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
China and Russia have both called for a ceasefire in the spiraling conflict and criticized Israel’s actions, while the US has endorsed Israel’s right to retaliate against militant groups Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024 Friction point: These two demands contradict UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which states that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) enforce a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Barak Ravid, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 The Uncommitted movement, which aims to pressure Harris and Biden to implement an arms embargo and a permanent ceasefire deal, is playing an influential role in the election. Mythili Sampathkumar, refinery29.com, 9 Oct. 2024 Polls consistently show that most Americans want a ceasefire in Gaza and to stop weapons transfers to Israel (including 77% of Democrats) amid the death and destruction. Mustafa Barghouti, TIME, 9 Oct. 2024 The expanding conflict and growing number of displaced and dead civilians has led to international calls for a ceasefire along both fronts, which Israel has rejected. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 Lennox is far from the first musician who has supported a ceasefire amid the crisis. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2024 There has been contact between the U.S. and France to discuss re-establishing a temporary ceasefire, the country's Presidency of the Council of Ministers said on X, quoting Mikati. NBC News, 11 Oct. 2024 Al-Sheikh explained that the movement’s stance also stems from a lack of a ceasefire deal, rising Islamophobia and the DNC’s refusal to allow a Palestinian American speaker on stage during the party’s convention in August. Mythili Sampathkumar, refinery29.com, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceasefire was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near ceasefire

Cite this Entry

“Ceasefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceasefire. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cease-fire

noun
ˈsēs-ˈfī(ə)r
: a temporary stopping of warfare

More from Merriam-Webster on ceasefire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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