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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Recent Examples of stems
Nectar is a sweet, syrupy liquid produced in the blossoms, stems and leaves of many plants.
—
Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Remove any foliage or stems growing at the base of the plant.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
This summer sees Per Mertesacker step down as its manager, bringing to an end a partnership with Arteta that stems back to them joining the club as players on transfer deadline day in August 2011.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 May 2026
The revenue boost stems mainly from taxes on high-income residents’ stock gains, which have soared with financial markets on the promise of AI.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
The discomfort stems not from graphic imagery, but from recognition — the realization that contemporary visual culture increasingly conditions audiences through loops of deferred resolution.
—Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
The jump in food prices stems in part from a historic oil shock set off by the Iran war, which increased diesel costs, some analysts told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Be on the lookout for the following seeds and stems at your go-to garden center.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
This low-mounding shade perennial sends up taller, slender stems with airy flower clusters, and the groundcover spreads by slowly creeping rhizomes.
—Judy Nauseef, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Remove any foliage or stems growing at the base of the plant.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
This summer sees Per Mertesacker step down as its manager, bringing to an end a partnership with Arteta that stems back to them joining the club as players on transfer deadline day in August 2011.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 May 2026
The revenue boost stems mainly from taxes on high-income residents’ stock gains, which have soared with financial markets on the promise of AI.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
The discomfort stems not from graphic imagery, but from recognition — the realization that contemporary visual culture increasingly conditions audiences through loops of deferred resolution.
—Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
The jump in food prices stems in part from a historic oil shock set off by the Iran war, which increased diesel costs, some analysts told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Be on the lookout for the following seeds and stems at your go-to garden center.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
This low-mounding shade perennial sends up taller, slender stems with airy flower clusters, and the groundcover spreads by slowly creeping rhizomes.
—Judy Nauseef, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stems
Verb
-
Voting for the mall ends June 1.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Fans who fear Major League Baseball is headed toward a work stoppage because the collective-bargaining agreement ends later this year could not have liked the events of the past week.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Doctors say the administrative action routinely delays or denies care.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Nothing says Connecticut meet-cute like bonding over melting ice cream while a boat slowly delays everyone’s plans.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
There’s also a full spa in the Borgata Tower, a retail corridor with more boutiques and a range of dining options—from quick food court stops to full sit-down restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2026
-
The risk premium increase for any single firm that stops quarterly reporting is small—a fraction of a basis point on that firm’s shares, too modest to overcome the compliance cost savings, management’s preference for less scrutiny, and the social norm shift underway.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Cooper’s ruling halts those plans for now.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
-
The failure halts New Glenn missions just weeks after an upper-stage engine issue, threatening schedules for Amazon internet satellites and NASA’s Artemis moon landings that depend on Blue Origin’s heavy-lift workhorse.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors will be unable to show jurors a cellphone, passport and wallet that were all in a Faraday bag – which blocks cell signals – as well as a computer chip.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
-
Its hybrid active noise cancellation completely blocks external distractions, while Transparency Mode keeps you aware of your surroundings.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The 2026 French Open, Roland-Garros, kicked off with first round matches on Saturday and concludes on June 7.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
-
That concludes today’s newsletter.—
Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stems. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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