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
Examples of ceasefire in a Sentence
the two armies declared a ceasefire for the holiday
Recent Examples on the Web
The move comes amid fragile ceasefire violations, escalating rhetoric and shifting deadlines, with Washington and Tehran trading fire last week while talks stall over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security.
—
Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Both sides have accused the other daily of violating the ceasefire.
—May 19, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Seven months ago, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement for a ceasefire, largely ending the war in Gaza after two years of Israeli attacks and the deaths of more than seventy thousand Palestinians.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
The ceasefire remains tenuous, with diplomatic efforts for a more durable peace having faltered.
—Jon Gambrell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2026
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.
Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Both sides have accused the other daily of violating the ceasefire.
—May 19, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Seven months ago, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement for a ceasefire, largely ending the war in Gaza after two years of Israeli attacks and the deaths of more than seventy thousand Palestinians.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
The ceasefire remains tenuous, with diplomatic efforts for a more durable peace having faltered.
—Jon Gambrell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ceasefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceasefire. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
