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

Synonyms of ceasefire

• truce
• accord
• armistice

Examples of ceasefire in a Sentence

the two armies declared a ceasefire for the holiday

Recent Examples on the Web

Washington and Tehran agreed in June to a 60-day ceasefire, allowing time to negotiate a more durable peace deal while active fighting subsided and the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Trump declares his 'number one goal' in negotiations with Iran as ceasefire set to expire. — FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Powerful National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned efforts to advance the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026

Hamas has been unwilling to commit to demilitarization until Israel adheres to the ceasefire agreement struck last year, but Israeli bombings have continued. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ceasefire

• acquire
• attire
• bonfire
• campfire
• conspire
• desire
• enquire
• entire
• greenbrier
• gunfire
• homebuyer
• misfire

Kids Definition

cease-fire

noun

ˈsēs-ˈfī(ə)r

: a temporary stopping of warfare