CEASE Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

cease 1 of 2

verb

ˈsēs

Definition of cease next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Endangered planetary ecosystems become the ultimate reason nations need to not only cease to fight each other but cooperate on a new level. —

Winslow Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Use of the site appears to have ceased around the year A.D. 700—at least half a century earlier than the formal Christianization of the area. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Noun

Passenger trains haven’t run in the Treasure Valley in more than 25 years, and, for now, that cease in operations will continue. —

Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Feb. 2024 When will supposed safety for some cease to mean annihilation for others? —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cease

Verb

Outside of suicide, the only way for a terminally ill person in Ohio to hasten their own death is to refuse life-prolonging treatments or to stop eating and drinking.

— Tim Botos, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
Retirees who stop working at Full Retirement Age—currently 67—can receive a maximum monthly benefit of $4,018.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025