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

No significant reconstruction has taken place in Gaza since a fragile ceasefire deal was agreed last October between Hamas and Israel. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 73,000 as Israeli military operations continue despite an alleged ceasefire, according to the Associated Press. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

Previous efforts to broker even a partial ceasefire have repeatedly fallen apart within hours, with both sides accusing the other of violations. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,264 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 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