discontinue

verb

dis·​con·​tin·​ue ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce discontinue (audio)
discontinued; discontinuing; discontinues

transitive verb

1
: to break the continuity of : cease to operate, administer, use, produce, or take
2
: to abandon or terminate by a legal discontinuance

intransitive verb

: to come to an end
discontinuation noun
Choose the Right Synonym for discontinue

stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend activity.

stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality.

by nightfall the fighting had ceased

quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Examples of discontinue in a Sentence

He discontinued his visits to the psychiatrist. She chose to discontinue her studies. The company has announced that the current model will be discontinued next year. They are planning to discontinue bus service between the two towns.
Recent Examples on the Web Five impartiality investigations into GB News over its Don’t Kill Cash Campaign have been discontinued by Ofcom. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2024 However, in one trial, some participants discontinued the curcumin within a few days to a week because of the digestive side effects.21 Potential Effects on Cancer Your cells produce unstable molecules called free radicals as a byproduct of metabolism. Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2024 Seven years ago, however, the company discontinued the physical book, ending nearly 30 years of history. Kristine Gill, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2024 While many marketers likely breathed a sigh of relief when Google discontinued its plans to retire cookie technology in the coming year, that respite only buys enough time to seek alternative solutions. Richard Jones, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for discontinue 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discontinue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French discontinuer, from Medieval Latin discontinuare, from Latin dis- + continuare to continue

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discontinue was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near discontinue

Cite this Entry

“Discontinue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discontinue. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

discontinue

verb
dis·​con·​tin·​ue ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yü How to pronounce discontinue (audio)
1
: to cease to operate, use, produce, or take
will discontinue that product
2
: to bring or come to an end : stop
discontinued broadcast of my favorite show
discontinuance
-ˈtin-yə-wən(t)s
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on discontinue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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