cease

verb \ ˈsēs \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of cease

ceased; ceasing

transitive verb

: to cause to come to an end especially gradually : no longer continue

they were forced to cease operations

cease to exist

intransitive verb

1 a : to come to an end

the fighting gradually ceased

b : to bring an activity or action to an end : discontinue

they have been ordered to cease and desist

2 obsolete : to become extinct : die out

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Examples of cease in a Sentence

The fighting along the border has temporarily ceased.
The factory ceased operations last year.
The child would not cease his constant whining.

Recent Examples of cease from the Web

The ingenuity of our stone-age ancestors never ceases to amaze.

— Fox News, "Stonehenge secret revealed? Scientist suggests new theory about ancient site," 14 May 2018
Mrowka ceased his chase in front of 27 Commercial St., dropped the box cutter, and fled west on the road on his bike, the police report said.

— john r. ellement and danny mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "Arrest made in stabbing of 82-year-old man in Provincetown," 11 May 2018
Despite the man’s assertion of his U.S. citizenship and his offer of a valid form of identification, the man’s interrogation did not cease.

— alexia fernández campbell, Vox, "Exclusive: Kirsten Gillibrand introduces a bill to crack down on immigration agents," 11 May 2018
Since the controversial transfer of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham to United back in 2008, dealings between the two rivals have ceased to exist.

— SI.com, "Man Utd Ready to Test Frosty Relationship With Spurs & Consider Pursuit of Midfield Playmaker," 6 May 2018
While the city rolls out a permitting plan, cease-and-desist letters were sent to three companies giving them until today to submit plans to satisfy state and local requirements.

— CBS News, "Cities vow to crack down on "litter bikes"," 30 Apr. 2018
The rain that cast a pall on Indiana the day before has finally ceased.

— dawn mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "The epic journey of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train," 30 Apr. 2018
But, oh! The adventures of Perry and Bloom have not ceased.

— hilary weaver, Vanities, "Get Ready for Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom to Overshare Their Relationship Again," 30 Apr. 2018
Your pain has ceased, your hands untied, fly free now.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Kenneth S. McGinnis," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cease.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cease

Middle English cesen, from Anglo-French cesser, from Latin cessare to hold back, be remiss, frequentative of cedere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

cease Synonyms

Phrases

bite the dust;

Synonym Discussion of cease

stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist 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.