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

Israel has continued carrying out strikes in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect last October, while the future disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces remain central issues in negotiations over the territory. — Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

The initial, ceasefire phase of that plan was clinched last October. — Dan Williams, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

Israel and Hamas both regularly accuse the other of breaching the ceasefire. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026

More than 1,250 people have been killed in the Israeli attacks since the original ceasefire in October 2025, most of them civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 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