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 Harvest stems weekly to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from getting leggy. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026 Critics have said the size of the gap stems in large part from Connecticut’s lack of investment in special education, which is meant to reduce those disparities as much as possible. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stems
  1. ends
  2. delays
  3. stops
  4. halts
  5. blocks
  6. concludes
Verb
  • Those hoping the Iran war ends soon currently face disappointment.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Clarify the roles, choose a timeline, and schedule the next check-in before the conversation ends.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of ends
Verb
  • So pretending imbalance isn't happening — like when one partner is regularly absorbing all the work and smiling through it — just delays the same resentment that often festers in exchange relationships.
    — Mark Travers, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • That is not only a problem for expanding power grid infrastructure to support growing electricity demand, but also delays the process of replacing aging power transformers.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of delays
Verb
  • The metalpoint tool sometimes slips or skitters; the fountain pen sometimes stops working—though, deprived of vision, the artist is unaware, and keeps drawing the now-invisible line.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a tender, surprising moment of reconciliation in the novel’s final pages — the place where story stops.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stops
Verb
  • The stay, granted by administrative judge David Gunter, halts data center development by Townsite Solar 2, LLC.
    — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the state’s gerrymandered congressional map from being used in the November election, a seismic ruling that halts a Republican attempt to force Kansas City’s longtime congressman out of office.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of halts
Verb
  • The effect essentially gives Roman a parking spot in space, enabling engineers on Earth to remain in constant contact with the telescope, while making sure Earth never blocks its view of the cosmos.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026
  • If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of blocks
Verb
  • Three-quarters of the way through an all-in-all pretty thrilling Reacher season, a picaresque episode introduces still another villain and concludes on a particularly dire cliffhanger.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • His departure concludes one of the most successful coaching tenures in junior college football history.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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