as in ends
to stop the progress or spread of (something)
efforts to stem the dramatic decline of an endangered species
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Removing all parts of the roots and stems is important to prevent regrowth.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
This is because squash plants produce prickly leaves and stems that rabbits dislike.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
The dispute stems, in part, an April 25, 2023 meeting at Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds’ New York City penthouse.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The arching stems and sprays of golden flowers provide food, nesting, and winter shelter for bumblebees, long-and short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, spiders, and more.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Just be sure to keep the biochar and compost a few inches away from the plant stems to avoid issues with rot.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
Cut pothos stems just above leaf nodes, and use clean tools.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 14 Apr. 2026
His strained relationship with the European Union stems in part from his stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine, his firm support of Israel and his hardline position on migration, which has led to financial penalties from the bloc.
—Greg Wehner , Simon Owen, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
This is because squash plants produce prickly leaves and stems that rabbits dislike.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
The dispute stems, in part, an April 25, 2023 meeting at Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds’ New York City penthouse.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The arching stems and sprays of golden flowers provide food, nesting, and winter shelter for bumblebees, long-and short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, spiders, and more.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Just be sure to keep the biochar and compost a few inches away from the plant stems to avoid issues with rot.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
Cut pothos stems just above leaf nodes, and use clean tools.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 14 Apr. 2026
His strained relationship with the European Union stems in part from his stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine, his firm support of Israel and his hardline position on migration, which has led to financial penalties from the bloc.
—Greg Wehner , Simon Owen, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stems
Verb
-
What happens once the tour wraps, the season ends, the algorithm cools or the headlines wane?—
Sandra Richards,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
-
The Senate passed its own version of the larger health bill so both chambers will have to find compromise before session ends May 18.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Developers often struggle to hire workers, which delays home construction and further increases prices.—
Maxwell Harden,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
Avoiding the conversation only delays the inevitable.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Luke then successfully stops two blasts from the training remote while not being able to see.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Kathryn Stockett, who published her blockbuster novel The Help in 2009, is back with her first new book in 17 years—The Calamity Club—and she’s headed to Alabama on one of her first book tour stops.—
Southern Living Editors,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
But Ho's order now halts that effective date.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
March 2 Oil and gas prices jumped during the first trading day since the strikes, as the war halts energy exports from the Middle East.—
Emma Graham,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But then maybe Embiid blocks him from behind.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
-
Leadership cowardice blocks our connection to that top level — the why.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The film conveniently concludes in 1988, five years before Chandler’s abuse allegations came to light.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Powell, meanwhile, is set to step down as Fed chair when his term concludes on May 15, capping an eight-year tenure as the leader of the central bank.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stems. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
