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

When essential services like maternity, emergency or behavioral health care become unprofitable, private systems may reduce or discontinue them. —Shane Strum, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026

Nolting and Danlow also expressed concern that if sports with already low participation at the state level lose the co-op teams, the sport could be discontinued for low participation. —Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026

Also last month, the federal government discontinued pandemic-era assistance that helped pay for health insurance, driving up insurance premiums for millions of families around the country, including many who are close to low-income. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026

Power Stride Tab Socks 3-pack Boasting more than 500 five-star ratings, these performance socks would definitely be missed if Lululemon discontinued them. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 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