STOP Synonyms: 338 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'stop' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of stop are cease , desist , discontinue , and quit . While all these words 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

Q: In what contexts can 'cease' take the place of 'stop'?

While in some cases nearly identical to stop , 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

Q: When can 'desist' be used instead of 'stop'?

In some situations, the words desist and stop are roughly equivalent. However, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing. // desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Q: When could 'discontinue' be used to replace 'stop'?

The meanings of discontinue and stop largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice. // we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

Q: When is 'quit' a more appropriate choice than 'stop'?

Although the words quit and stop have much in common, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing. // the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

stop 1 of 2

verb

ˈstäp

Definition of stop next

as in to cease

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the manufacturer will stop selling the toy and will immediately recall all the units that have already been sold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to halt

to bring (something) to a standstill traffic was stopped for over an hour by the overturned truck

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as in to fill

to close up so that no empty spaces remain I stopped the mouse hole with plaster

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as in to end

to come to an end the music stopped but we kept on dancing

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as in to overcome

to achieve a victory over they were eventually stopped by the best team in the league

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stop

2 of 2

noun

as in break

a brief halt in a journey our guide called for a stop at the trail hut so we could eat and rest a bit

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as in station

a regular stopping place had lunch on a picnic table at a shady rest stop along the highway

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as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult pulled out all the stops and presented the most spectacular show ever

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as in halt

the stopping of a process or activity put a stop to this nonsense

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stop distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of stop are cease, desist, discontinue, and quit. While all these words 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

In what contexts can cease take the place of stop?

While in some cases nearly identical to stop, 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 stop?

In some situations, the words desist and stop are roughly equivalent. However, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When could discontinue be used to replace stop?

The meanings of discontinue and stop largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When is quit a more appropriate choice than stop?

Although the words quit and stop have much in common, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

Examples 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 stop

Verb

Smoking has been linked to the formation of spider veins, so stop or limit smoking to reduce your risk. —

Laura Schober, Health, 12 Jan. 2025 But his meeting with the president-elect, the first since January 2021 when rioters attempted to stop Pence from certifying the election, wasn’t the only interaction that drew speculation. —

Zach Halaschak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025

Noun

The Vikings have 8 days to prepare this time and Cashman – the team’s leading tackler with 112 stops – will be in the lineup. —

Steve Silverman, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 But that was just one stop on a heart-wrenching, 67-minute helicopter ride to survey the damage of the wildfires in Los Angeles County. —

Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for stop

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stop

Verb

Much to the lament of American enthusiasts, Mercedes ceased production of the E 63 S wagon last year, which has helped to keep values high.

Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2025
Without this, a creator’s business may cease to exist—with a human-size hole left in its place.

Rodney Mason, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025