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stop

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noun

1
as in break
a brief halt in a journey our guide called for a stop at the trail hut so we could eat and rest a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in station
a regular stopping place had lunch on a picnic table at a shady rest stop along the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stop distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of stop are cease, desist, discontinue, and quit. While all these words 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

In what contexts can cease take the place of stop?

While in some cases nearly identical to stop, 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

When can desist be used instead of stop?

In some situations, the words desist and stop are roughly equivalent. However, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When could discontinue be used to replace stop?

The meanings of discontinue and stop largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When is quit a more appropriate choice than stop?

Although the words quit and stop have much in common, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of stop
Verb
Drivers must stop at a police DUI checkpoint and hand over any requests from an officer, including license and registration. Miami Herald, 11 July 2025 Dispatchers told the man to stop at a nearby gas station. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Noun
Route highlights With 17 total stops across California, the coastal towns are yours to discover. Jp Shaffer july 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025 He’s turned this stop into a revitalization, posting a career-best .384 on-base percentage and 131 wRC+ so far. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for stop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stop
Verb
  • Parrot Jungle ceased operations in Pinecrest and its birds and staff made the move to Miami with the opening of Jungle Island in 2003.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
  • Nissan Stadium's weather policy states that if lightning strikes within eight miles of the stage, the venue must cease the concert and ask show-goers to shelter in place.
    Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Due to the storm damage, the city of Plainfield said that its city pools and parks are closed on Tuesday for inspection and safety assessment, while services at the Plainfield Senior Center are halted.
    David Chiu, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • In an unsigned order on Monday, the top court temporarily lifted a lower court ruling from May that indefinitely paused the layoffs and reinstated those who were let go, while also halting President Donald Trump’s Executive Order from March which called for the department to be closed down.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Every region in the nation is struggling to fill these crucial seats to keep jets moving efficiently, quickly and safely.
    Sharon DeVivo, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
  • That very same day, in Westernport, Maryland, floodwaters quickly filled the first floor of an elementary school trapping 150 students and their teachers inside.
    Laura Schifter, Time, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Texas Rangers: Milton Bradley, 2008 Bradley had ended the previous season, with the Padres, by tearing his ACL while being restrained by manager Bud Black during an umpire argument.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • That legal standoff ended so CBS’ corporate parent, Paramount Global, could get regulatory approval for its merger with Skydance.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Becky Lynch overcame Lyra Valkyria and Bayley to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship in what was possibly the match of the night.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • Noncompliance can mean monetary penalties, restricted market access and lasting reputational damage that can be very difficult to overcome.
    Paresh Sagar, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Live With Kelly & Mark took a temporary break from morning TV spiciness to douse the flames of their typically steamy 9 a.m. passions with the tears of longtime producer Michael Gelman.
    EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • Say the weekend prior to the final weekend prior to the All-Star break.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • One is Allegheny Mountain Radio, a cooperative of three stations which cover Pocahontas County, West Virginia as well as Bath and Highland counties in Virginia.
    Frank Langfitt, NPR, 20 July 2025
  • The auctions are hosted annually by the department, local news station Fox 2 Detroit reported.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • The branches of the military, which maintain their own communication networks, have their own obstacles.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • For Superman, that means preventing any of the negatives that do initially arise from becoming obstacles or bandwagon narratives in the press.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stop. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stop

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