discontinue

verb

dis·​con·​tin·​ue ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü 

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

ˌdis-kən-ˌtin-yə-ˈwā-shən 

-yü-ˈā-

noun

Synonyms of discontinue

• cease
• stop
• halt
• quit
• end

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

Other EVs that made the KBB list include the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning for best electric truck (which is now discontinued until an extended range EV version arrives) and 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 for best EV. —Sasha Lekach, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

In general, it is estimated that about 1 in 6 people who discontinue their antidepressant experiences adverse symptoms. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026

January 2019 Milwaukee police discontinue the use of StarChase technology. —Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Now, don’t forget Toyota discontinued sales of the C-HR in the US in 2022. —New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for discontinue

• continue
• continuo

Kids Definition

discontinue

verb

dis·​con·​tin·​ue ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yü 

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