ceasefire

noun

cease·​fire ˈsēs-ˈfi(-ə)r 

variants or less commonly cease-fire

plural ceasefires also cease-fires

1

: a military order to cease firing

2

: a suspension of active hostilities

Synonyms of ceasefire

• truce
• accord
• armistice

Examples of ceasefire in a Sentence

the two armies declared a ceasefire for the holiday

Recent Examples on the Web

But African governments should not mistake a ceasefire, or even the reopening of the strait, for a return to business as usual. — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Despite a fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States last year, violence has continued. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

She’s repeatedly called on global leaders to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026

Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to hold off on aerial attacks on each other’s capitals to enable the visits over the weekend, bringing a brief respite in the cities, though no broader ceasefire is in place. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ceasefire

• acquire
• attire
• bonfire
• campfire
• conspire
• desire
• enquire
• entire
• greenbrier
• gunfire
• homebuyer
• misfire

Kids Definition

cease-fire

noun

ˈsēs-ˈfī(ə)r

: a temporary stopping of warfare