Entry Word: cease

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to come to an end <the rain finally ceased, and we were able to continue the baseball game>

Synonyms break off, break up, close, conclude, die, discontinue, elapse, end, expire, finish, halt, lapse, leave off, let up, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up

Related Words desist (from), lay off (of), refrain (from); knock off; break down, conk (out), cut out, stall; pause, stay, suspend

Near Antonyms draw out, extend, prolong, protract

Antonyms continue, hang on, persist

2 to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end <cease chattering and get down to work, please> — see stop 1