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

Kushner was a key architect of the Gaza ceasefire brokered between Israel and Hamas last October; despite that deal, Israel continues striking the enclave on a near daily basis. — Allegra Goodwin, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Progress in talks will be a main focus for markets, as regional mediators push for ceasefire negotiations, said Mahmoud Mashal, senior market analyst of VT Markets Dubai, adding that any meaningful progress could drive crude lower. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

After more than a decade of fighting, negotiations in 1979 led to the Lancaster House Agreement, which saw a ceasefire come into effect and a temporary return to British colonial administration. — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

When armed conflict resumes after decades of ceasefire, the convictions that have shaped Najla’s public life are tested. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 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