ceases; ceased; ceasing
formal
1
: to stop happening : to end
The fighting along the border has temporarily ceased.
The conversation abruptly ceased. [=halted]
The noise ceased [=stopped] altogether.
when the weary cease from their labors [=when people who are very tired stop working]
The company was ordered by the court to cease and desist from selling the photographs. [=was ordered to immediately stop selling the photographs]
2
: to stop doing (something)
The factory ceased operations last year.
The child would not cease his constant whining/complaining.
The soldiers were ordered to cease fire. [=to stop shooting their weapons]
—often followed by to + verbThe program would cease to exist without private funding.
He had long ceased to have any regrets.
Her courage never ceases to amaze me. [=I am always amazed by her courage]
Cite this Entry
“Cease.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/cease. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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