Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

cease

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of cease

the stopping of a process or activity

  • worked without cease for the betterment of humanity
Synonyms of cease

arrest, arrestment, cessation, check, close, closedown, closure, conclusion, cutoff, discontinuance, discontinuation, end, ending, expiration, finish, halt, lapse, offset, shutdown, shutoff, stay, stop, stoppage, surcease, termination
Words Related to cease

mop-up, phaseout

abeyance, break, interruption, layoff, letup, moratorium, pause, standstill, suspension
Near Antonyms of cease

extension, persistence, prolongation
Antonyms of cease

continuance, continuation

cease

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of cease

1 to come to an end

  • the rain finally ceased, and we were able to continue the baseball game
Synonyms of cease

break off, break up, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue, elapse, end, expire, finish, go, halt, lapse, leave off, let up, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up, wink (out)
Words Related to cease

desist (from), lay off (of), refrain (from)

give over [British], knock off, pack (up or in)

break down, conk (out), cut out, stall

pause, stay, suspend

abate, peter (out), wind down
Phrases Synonymous with cease

bite the dust
Near Antonyms of cease

draw out, extend, prolong, protract
Antonyms of cease

continue, hang on, persist

2 to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end

  • cease chattering and get down to work, please
Synonyms of cease

break, break off, break up, can [slang], cut off, cut out, desist (from), discontinue, drop, end, give over, halt, knock off, lay off, leave off, pack (up or in), quit, shut off, stop
Words Related to cease

complete, conclude, finish

close (down)

deactivate

block, blockade, dam, delay, detain, hinder, hold, hold back, impede, kibosh, obstruct, stem

call, suspend

arrest, brake, check, clamp down, rein (in), squash, squelch, stamp, stanch (or staunch), stunt, suppress, turn back

pause, stay, suspend

abolish, abort, annul, demolish, destroy, dissolve, kill, ruin, scuttle, snuff
Phrases Synonymous with cease

have done with, put the kibosh on
Near Antonyms of cease

carry on, continue, follow through (with), keep up, run on

advance, proceed, progress

actuate, drive, impel, propel, stir

Synonym Discussion of cease

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

Learn More about cease

  1. See words that rhyme with cease Dictionary: Definition of cease Spanish Central: Translation of cease Nglish: Translation of cease for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cease for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cease? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

immure

to enclose within walls

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  2. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

  3. endgame Marvel's Avengers: Endgame

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games