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

The ceasefire between the US and Iran is in tatters, with the conflict between the two sides intensifying this past week. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Neither the ministry nor the official who spoke to Reuters gave any further details on the putative ceasefire discussions. — Reuters, NBC news, 20 July 2026

The latest escalation follows the breakdown of an interim ceasefire agreement reached about a month ago, as tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz continue to intensify. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Nevertheless, the heart of the speech praised what Biden portrayed as Netanyahu’s ceasefire proposal. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 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