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
Cutting green stems back to a second node has a 50% chance of triggering more blooms.
—
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026
Debris such as leaves, flower petals, stems and other parts of plants that fall off decompose into the soil.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2026
My crabapple and witchhazel sprout extra stems at the bottom of their trunks.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2026
Some of your creeping thyme may develop woody stems over time.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Pests can also be particularly harmful to tender, young plant stems.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
And much like me in my youth, the Warriors’ lackluster report card stems entirely from a lack of focus.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
In his view, homelessness stems primarily from a lack of suitable housing—not from entrenched mental illness or addiction.
—Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026
Debris such as leaves, flower petals, stems and other parts of plants that fall off decompose into the soil.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2026
My crabapple and witchhazel sprout extra stems at the bottom of their trunks.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2026
Some of your creeping thyme may develop woody stems over time.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Pests can also be particularly harmful to tender, young plant stems.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
And much like me in my youth, the Warriors’ lackluster report card stems entirely from a lack of focus.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
In his view, homelessness stems primarily from a lack of suitable housing—not from entrenched mental illness or addiction.
—Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stems
Verb
-
But the movie ends when Cathy dies, distraught and brokenhearted over Heathcliff and having starved herself during her pregnancy.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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When the sun moves away from the node, the season ends, and eclipses become impossible again.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This mistake not only holds up your travel plans, but also delays passengers behind you as TSA officers search through your carry-on.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
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Under state law, there is a 14-day pre-eviction notice required for nonpayment of rent, which delays the impact.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There’s a long inner liner that stops a few inches short of the hem, offering calf-length coverage.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
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If Chipotle stops producing them, these chairs might appreciate to become a solid investment.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Stanton demonstrates his battery by shorting the coils, which halts the pendulum due to the magnetic field’s braking effect.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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Should any of these conditions not be met, the contract halts and notifies all relevant parties.—
Matthew Kayser,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The bill also blocks foreign funding so Illinois courts are not used as a financial tool by outside interests.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Sarr recovers and blocks the shot from behind.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Lunar New Year begins February 17, 2026, and starts the 15-day Spring Festival that concludes with the Lantern Festival, according to the Smithsonian Institution.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
17 Feb. 2026
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When Ramadan concludes with Eid, the celebration does not mark an end to discipline but its continuation.—
Irfan Sarwar,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stems. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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