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
Giving stems a very gentle shake when flowers first appear will help encourage fruit to set.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Avoid the woody stems, which don't have the same flavor as the younger leaves.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
The inland taipan’s claim to fame stems largely from toxicological studies showing that its venom is extraordinarily potent in laboratory testing.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
For vibrant purple stems that accent green leaves, opt for the Rainbow variety.
—Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
In these spaces, ticks often wait on the tips of grass blades, plant stems, and tree branches with their front legs ready to grasp onto any host that happens to brush by or walk under overhanging foliage.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
According to a helpful monograph called Ancient Potato Varieties of Tenerife, potatoes aren’t the fruit of the potato plant but its underground stems.
—Tamar Adler, Vogue, 3 June 2026
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Avoid the woody stems, which don't have the same flavor as the younger leaves.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
The inland taipan’s claim to fame stems largely from toxicological studies showing that its venom is extraordinarily potent in laboratory testing.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
For vibrant purple stems that accent green leaves, opt for the Rainbow variety.
—Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
In these spaces, ticks often wait on the tips of grass blades, plant stems, and tree branches with their front legs ready to grasp onto any host that happens to brush by or walk under overhanging foliage.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
According to a helpful monograph called Ancient Potato Varieties of Tenerife, potatoes aren’t the fruit of the potato plant but its underground stems.
—Tamar Adler, Vogue, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stems
Verb
-
Chakraborty’s Obie-winning turn anchors the show with maternal rigor and restraint, as mother and son test how art might brace a fragile heart; the brief run ends Saturday.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
These individuals excel at visibility, strategy decks and company-wide communications, but their actual influence ends just at the cusp of acting on it.—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Likewise, if a player deliberately delays a throw-in, the opposing team could be given the throw-in instead.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
12 June 2026
-
This can make conversations feel heavier, delays more frustrating and feedback harder to digest.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The closest Metra stops to the Obama Presidential Center are on the Metra Electric Line, which also makes stops at McCormick Place and Millennium Park.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Yamal stops at Walmart before the World Cup.—
Alex Connor,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The late-night order halts what would have been the nation’s ninth nitrogen execution, a rare reprieve in a state where recent nitrogen deaths involved shaking, gasping and prolonged suffering.—
Kim Chandler,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Filing for bankruptcy can trigger an automatic stay that generally halts most collection actions, including lawsuits, garnishments and bank levies, while the case is being processed.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Or a delivery truck that blocks a driver's view at a busy corner.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
The decision effectively blocks foreign governments, businesses, researchers, and individuals, as well as foreign nationals residing in the US, from using the company’s latest AI systems.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Live coverage on Fox News Channel kicks off Wednesday, June 24th and concludes on Sunday, July 5th, with correspondents and anchors stationed at the National Mall, Liberty State Park, Philadelphia, Mount Rushmore and Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidential Library, among others venues.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 June 2026
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The study concludes that continued monitoring and removal efforts will be necessary to prevent further expansion into sensitive ecosystems.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stems. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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