sur·cease
(ˌ)sər-ˈsēs 
ˈsər-ˌsēs
ˈsər-ˌsēs
surceased; surceasing
: to desist from action
also
: to come to an end : cease
: to put an end to : discontinue
sur·cease
ˈsər-ˌsēs
(ˌ)sər-ˈsēs
(ˌ)sər-ˈsēs
: cessation
especially
: a temporary respite or end
to borrow from my books surcease of sorrow —
E. A. Poe
E. A. Poe Examples of surcease in a Sentence
Noun
hoping the new medicine would bring surcease to his pain
Recent Examples on the Web
WSJ, 14 Feb. 2019
Anyone seeking temporary surcease from the rigors of the present moment will find it in abundance here.
—Terry Teachout, WSJ, 20 July 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Terrible transgressions lead to worse ones, with no prospect of surcease, let alone moral regeneration.
—WSJ, 14 Feb. 2019
Anyone seeking temporary surcease from the rigors of the present moment will find it in abundance here.
—Terry Teachout, WSJ, 20 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Surcease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surcease. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share