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Synonym Chooser

How is the word discontinue distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of discontinue are cease, desist, quit, and stop. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When might cease be a better fit than discontinue?

In some situations, the words cease and discontinue are roughly equivalent. However, 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 discontinue?

While the synonyms desist and discontinue are close in meaning, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When is it sensible to use quit instead of discontinue?

The meanings of quit and discontinue largely overlap; however, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

When could stop be used to replace discontinue?

The words stop and discontinue can be used in similar contexts, but stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

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 discontinue The name was previously used for a compact electric hatchback that was discontinued in 2022. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 May 2025 The original Snack Wrap — which wrapped chicken, lettuce and shredded cheese in a tortilla with the choice of ranch or honey mustard — was previously discontinued in 2016. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 1 May 2025 Ukraine’s Reliance on Drones: Should the peace talks fail, or the United States discontinue arms shipments, the Ukrainian drone initiative is likely to take on more importance. Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 In February, Owyhee County Sheriff Larry Kendrick signed his county up for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement program that was discontinued in 2012 following multiple instances of racial profiling from participating law enforcement agencies. Rachel Spacek, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discontinue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinue
Verb
  • But without a new agreement, it would be forced to cease operations and lay off 58 workers at the Vacaville site.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
  • Ryan Furniture in Havre de Grace will cease operations after doing business over 75 years.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • When Lollapalooza first announced that Olivia and Sabrina Carpenter were headlining this summer (along with Tyler, the Creator and Rüfüs Du Soul), with Abrams also in a top slot, there was the predictable gnashing of teeth that Lollapalooza is abandoning its precious rock heritage.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025
  • President mulls joining Russia-Ukraine peace talks, expects ceasefire With Russian forces now in control of close to a fifth of Ukraine, Putin has held fast to his longstanding demands for Kyiv to cede territory, abandon its NATO membership ambitions and become a neutral country.
    USA Today, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Parts of the river so choked by weed that boat traffic was stopped were clear within days.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025
  • One day, a man named Harold McPherson stopped to answer her, and not long after, the two married.
    Dorothy Fortenberry, The Atlantic, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • After Trump halted the refugee program, freezing funding for processing and resettlement aid, a group of refugees and resettlement agencies filed a federal lawsuit challenging shutdown.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • The connective tissue to the previous films takes the form of the late, great Tony Todd, who before his death in November reprised his role as a wise coroner offering guidance to our characters, frantic to halt their impending doom.
    Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Tempting people to quit an immunity challenge for a mystery vote steal advantage?
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
  • Many teachers who already are thinking about quitting or retiring early aren’t going to be persuaded to change their minds by what the Senate is offering in this bill.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The game ended on a sacrifice fly at 1:17 a.m. Arkansas will throw junior right-hander Gage Wood against LSU junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson.
    Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
  • Veteran outfielder Mark Canha made a sliding grab in foul territory, a play that ended the Boston half of the third.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • The Big 12’s media rights agreement expires in the summer of 2031, which means the next contract likely will be signed and sealed in the spring of 2030 — during Yormark’s tenure.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 10 May 2025
  • Perfumes and Essential Oils Not only can fragrances and essential oils expire, it’s recommended to keep them out of the bathroom entirely.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Their research concluded that nearly 40% of dogs tested positive for the disease.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The Liberty have concluded their months-long victory lap that started with a trip down the Canyon of Heroes and ended among the world’s biggest pop-culture superstars at the Met Gala.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discontinue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinue. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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