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
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.
Some of the world recognizes this territory as Moroccan now, but there is still a war there, and the Polisario Front broke the ceasefire in 2020 after Moroccan provocation. Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 Israel and Hamas have been holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs. Wafaa Shurafa, Arkansas Online, 20 July 2025 Despite high Russian losses, Moscow is not interested in a ceasefire, in spite of Kyiv's willingness to accept such a move, added Murrett, the deputy director at Syracuse University's Institute for Security Policy and Law. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025 Gaza was protected by a ceasefire, and aid was flowing in; tables piled with fresh fruit and vegetables lined the streets. Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 19 July 2025 Since May, the scale of Russian attacks has been steadily increasing despite Trump's efforts to force a ceasefire and eventual peace deal. David Brennan, ABC News, 16 July 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, the only punishment built into Trump’s proposal would impose tariffs of 100% against Russia and its trading partners if the Kremlin does not accept a ceasefire soon. Simon Shuster, Time, 15 July 2025 Israel closed its airspace on June 13 — with full operations resuming after the 12 days of conflict concluded following a ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025 Israel continued to pound Gaza even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a second meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss a ceasefire. semafor.com, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceasefire was in 1844

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Cite this Entry

“Ceasefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceasefire. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cease-fire

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

More from Merriam-Webster on ceasefire

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