stop 1 of 2

1
2
3
4
5

stop

2 of 2

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

3
4

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
But the adventure doesn’t stop at the new menu options. Moná Thomas, People.com, 23 May 2025 Uncover what really stops patients from following care plans. Jim Longo, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
While Zippy uses the same basic mechanism as Mugatu – which includes a motor, battery and microcontroller – its small size has necessitated the addition of a mechanical hard stop to act as a joint limit for its hip. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 23 May 2025 Lizzo made her stadium debut on Wednesday (May 21) during the first Los Angeles stop of the Grand National Tour alongside SZA. Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for stop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stop
Verb
  • Yet, for some time now, there has been a third movement that tends to be articulated more in art than elsewhere, even if elsewhere there has long since ceased to be any alternative.
    Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • The mayor also said that late-night establishments and all nightclubs must cease operations at midnight.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The ruling halted a 30% tariff on China, a 25% tariff on certain goods from Mexico and Canada, and 10% baseline tariffs on most of the rest of the world, but did not affect import taxes on steel, aluminum, or automakers, which Trump levied under a different law.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 29 May 2025
  • The administration could ask the Supreme Court to halt the ruling as early as Friday.
    Alex Harring,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • And if how well graduates do in the labor market is now a key driver of excellence, that should translate into greater economic mobility for students and a more prepared talent supply to fill key jobs in local economies.
    Matt Gandal, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Whenever a network booking agent asked for someone from the magazine to fill a seat and dish on the day’s sports news, most writers shrugged.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The new legislation is the latest in a flurry of bills introduced by Democratic lawmakers aimed at ending the ability of presidents and members of Congress to own or oversee businesses that issue or promote crypto products.
    Michelle Conlin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Heading the state party would enable him to stay in the political arena — though he has also been mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed veteran U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, a Democrat representing the 5th District, whenever Hoyer decides to end his 60-year political career.
    Josh Kurtz, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Learning how to overcome your own anxiety is the first step to helping your kids do the same, said Robbins.
    Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 30 May 2025
  • The odds remain against them — only 16.1% of teams have overcome a 3-2 deficit in NBA playoff history — but the Knicks are coming off their best all-around performance of the series.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Even taking a short break to breathe, reflect or laugh with a colleague can restore perspective.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • The Face the Nation preview was aired during the show, not during an advertising break.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Our manager had the idea to have the local college radio station host us.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The station’s closure will end three routine climate reports by June 1.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The Times spoke to both sides, as well as multiple experts to better understand the high-stakes litigation, which faces obstacles but could shake up California’s home insurance industry.
    Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • Kennedy’s announcement does not broadly address healthy adults, but under the new FDA framework, healthy adults who wish to receive the fall COVID-19 vaccine will likely face obstacles.
    Libby Richards, The Conversation, 29 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stop. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!