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.
The offensive notably occurred on the same day that Israel and Hezbollah signed a ceasefire. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024 Since the 2020 ceasefire agreement, the conflict has remained largely dormant, with low-level clashes between the rebels and Assad’s regime. Mostafa Salem, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024 Hundreds of people gather in Tel Aviv on Nov. 21 to demonstrate for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of hostages. David Hodari, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024 Thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war first started to return home Wednesday as the ceasefire began to take hold, driving cars stacked with personal belongings, according to The Associated Press. Greg Norman, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024 Ahead of the ceasefire deadline, 4 a.m. local time, Israel and Hezbollah traded intensive rounds of back-and-forth of rocket fire and strikes. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 27 Nov. 2024 Since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel subsequently launched a military operation in the region, mediators have failed to get the two sides to agree to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement 10-1 after it was presented by Netanyahu, his office said. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 27 Nov. 2024 But beyond Hezbollah and Lebanon, attention has already turned to Gaza and whether the ceasefire will help or hinder efforts to bring an end to its humanitarian crisis. Richard Windsor, theweek, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceasefire was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near ceasefire

Cite this Entry

“Ceasefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceasefire. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

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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