Definition of CEASE

Choose the Right Synonym for cease

Verb

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. stopped at the red light 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 quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing. the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice. we have discontinued the manufacture of that item desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing. desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Examples of cease in a Sentence

Verb

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

Noun

worked without cease for the betterment of humanity

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In December 2016 Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, decreed that the 100-bolívar note, then the largest in circulation, would cease to be legal tender within three days. — The Economist, "Venezuelan cash is almost worthless, but also scarce," 12 July 2018 Many of the divers and residents of the nearby northern Thai town of Mae Sai saw the last-minute flood as a sign that divine protection had ceased only after all were safe. — Hannah Beech, Richard C. Paddock And Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, "‘Still Can’t Believe It Worked’: The Story of the Thailand Cave Rescue," 12 July 2018 Ma said his firm ceased representing Qin on July 10, 2017, due to the sensitivity of his case. — Washington Post, "China sentences veteran rights activist to 13 years’ prison," 11 July 2018 Ma said his firm ceased representing Qin on July 10, 2017, due to the sensitivity of his case. — Christopher Bodeen, Fox News, "China sentences veteran rights activist to 13 years' prison," 11 July 2018 Miller's activities ceased when the FBI showed up at his door to ask about his online pursuits, court documents say, and he was indicted 14 months later in April 2017 on five counts of producing child pornography and one count of possession of it. — Sam Stanton, sacbee, "He threatened his young victims into filming sex acts. Now he's facing 22 years in prison," 10 July 2018 Mas also emphasizes that Melreese's renowned First Tee program, a national initiative to encourage golf from an early age, would not cease to exist if displaced from Melreese. — Greg Cote, miamiherald, "Let voters decide! Why Beckham group's soccer stadium plan deserves to be on ballot," 9 July 2018 On June 21, Trump signed an executive order ceasing this practice along the U.S.-Mexico border, which had sparked a nationwide outcry. — Rafael Carranza, azcentral, "More families arrived at Arizona border in June despite separation threat," 6 July 2018 Like in the United States, where Valley Forge recently ceased production of the Confederate flag, there are also limits to that logic in China. — Michael D. Breidenbach, The Atlantic, "Raising the American Flag Made in China," 4 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In late April, assistant transportation commissioner Sean Wiedel shared a Guardian article with colleagues about San Francisco scooter mayhem, including crashes, tripping injuries, and a cease-and-desist order from the city. — John Greenfield, Chicago Reader, "Cycling / News / Transportation Electric scooters could be next to clog Chicago’s sidewalks and bike lanes," 25 June 2018 Quinnipiac issued a cease-and-desist order to the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter regarding hazing allegations in September 2015, according to previous reports. — Ben Lambert, Houston Chronicle, "University suspends Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity chapter after investigating ‘actions’," 15 June 2018 These practices by the charity have sparked investigations and regulatory questions in at least four states and a cease-and-desist order from California’s attorney general, which Food for the Poor has appealed. — Brian Macquarrie, BostonGlobe.com, "Leading hunger relief charity challenged on its claim of low costs," 2 June 2018 Taking part in an international crackdown on fraudulent initial coin offerings, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh’s office issued a cease-and-desist order against a firm operating out of an apartment in Windsor Mill. — baltimoresun.com, "Maryland Attorney General's office issues cease-and-desist against Windsor Mill firm's initial coin offering," 22 May 2018 On Friday the school unveiled a new logo as part of a rebranding effort in the wake of a cease-and-desist order from Ohio’s Miami University. — J.c. Carnahan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lake Howell ushers in new era with updated Silverhawk logo," 4 May 2018 And the patch builders' official blog says the team did not receive a formal cease-and-desist order from either Microsoft or 343 Industries. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "A fan-made Halo PC patch meets Microsoft’s legal muscle—and apparently survives," 25 Apr. 2018 Those documents include a cease-and-desist order from the president's lawyer to Daniels -- and a defamation suit by Daniels against the lawyer. — Paula Reid, CBS News, "Michael Cohen's lawyer reacts to Stormy Daniels' "60 Minutes" interview," 26 Mar. 2018 Afghanistan has seen an increase in violence nationwide following a brief three-day cease-fire between Taliban militants and the Afghan government last month. — Thomas Gibbons-neff, New York Times, "American Soldier Is Killed in Afghanistan, the 2nd This Week," 12 July 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.