stems

verb

present tense third-person singular of stem
as in ends
to stop the progress or spread of (something) efforts to stem the dramatic decline of an endangered species

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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 stems The affordability issue stems more from the fact that wages have not kept pace with cost of living increases over those 20 years. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Over time, this can result in long stretches of bare stems closer to the pot as the plant concentrates on developing new growth on the tips of the vines. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026 The misconception stems in part from how psychiatric medication is discussed publicly. — Rachel Docekal, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026 Rake out the dead leaves and stems and bag them for disposal. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Aug. 2026 The onslaught stems in part from Ossoff’s status as a potential presidential candidate. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Summary Productivity expert Neal Schore challenges conventional wisdom, arguing that true time loss stems not from poor planning but from internal factors like fear, overthinking, and emotional habits. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Bresnahan’s passion for education stems back to her childhood. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 The couple’s friend Adrienne Finch officiated at an altar decorated with a mix of orchids, hydrangeas, and stems. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stems
  1. ends
  2. delays
  3. stops
  4. halts
  5. blocks
  6. concludes
Verb
  • The video automatically ends when the trip is complete, according to Uber.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Even the Harvard incident ends without drama when, believe it or not, the Duffys realize that Harvard is actually a comfortable, supportive environment for conservative Catholics.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ends
Verb
  • Nearly all report that the process contributes to burnout and delays care.
    — Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Cellphone use before bed delays the natural drop in cortisol that teenagers need to fall asleep, according to Alice Hoagland, PhD, director of the Insomnia Clinic at the Rochester Regional Sleep Disorder Center.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of delays
Verb
  • Turning off Save Media stops Google from saving media from future Search interactions to your Search Services History.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • When every team has access to the same tools, producing more of anything stops being an advantage.
    — Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of stops
Verb
  • Melting polar ice halts the North Atlantic Current, which moves warm ocean currents northeast across the Atlantic.
    — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • If shipping through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea halts, the world could face more economic pain.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 24 July 2026
Definition of halts
Verb
  • Those vents allow the heat generated by your TV to escape, but when dust blocks them, the internal system can overheat, forcing your TV to work harder.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026
  • But Dorsey’s Jesus Jimenez blocks the punt and Henry Badge picks up the bouncing ball in the end zone with no time left for a 19-14 win.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of blocks
Verb
  • The letter to the editor concludes with a hope that the next president is better.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • So, what are the new GM’s biggest tasks once the search concludes?
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of concludes

Browse Nearby Words

stemming
stems
stench
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Cite this Entry

“Stems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stems. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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