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.
Qatar has been a main mediator in long-running negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and for a post-conflict plan for the territory. Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025 The Democratic divide over Israel has persisted since the earliest days of the war in Gaza, with the Left pressing for a ceasefire or cutoff in military assistance. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025 But Moscow has openly rejected proposals from Kyiv’s European allies to contribute to a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine if a ceasefire deal is finalized. Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025 The hundreds, if not thousands, of African nationals now fighting a high-intensity war in Ukraine may reimport similar destabilizing dynamics to the continent, and to the Sahel specifically, when a ceasefire in Ukraine is achieved. Alia Brahimi, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 Following the fighting, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a ceasefire, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey. Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

cease-fire

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

More from Merriam-Webster on ceasefire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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