discontinue

verb

dis·​con·​tin·​ue ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü 

discontinued; discontinuing; discontinues

transitive verb

1

: to break the continuity of : cease to operate, administer, use, produce, or take

2

: to abandon or terminate by a legal discontinuance

intransitive verb

: to come to an end

discontinuation

ˌdis-kən-ˌtin-yə-ˈwā-shən 

-yü-ˈā-

noun

Synonyms

• break
• break off
• break up
• can [slang]
• cease
• cut off
• cut out
• desist (from)
• drop
• end
• give over
• halt
• knock off
• lay off
• leave off
• pack (up or in)
• quit
• shut off
• stop

Choose the Right Synonym for discontinue

stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend activity.

stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

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

quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Examples of discontinue in a Sentence

He discontinued his visits to the psychiatrist.

She chose to discontinue her studies.

The company has announced that the current model will be discontinued next year.

They are planning to discontinue bus service between the two towns.

Recent Examples on the Web

The ball was discontinued by the monarchy in the mid 1950s, and later revived as an annual event, separate from the royal court, in the early 21st century. —Kristen Tauer, WWD, 27 Dec. 2024

And then, surprisingly, in 2021, Patek discontinued the 5711, just as prices for them were skyrocketing during the Covid-19 pandemic. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024

In October, Microsoft discontinued its HoloLens VR headset, a device that had been positioned as offering all the power of a desktop computer right there on your face. —Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 20 Dec. 2024

The following route will be discontinued: The #52 Medical Center Circulator. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French discontinuer, from Medieval Latin discontinuare, from Latin dis- + continuare to continue

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

discontinue

verb

dis·​con·​tin·​ue ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yü 

1

: to cease to operate, use, produce, or take

will discontinue that product

2

: to bring or come to an end : stop

discontinued broadcast of my favorite show

discontinuance

-ˈtin-yə-wən(t)s

noun