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
Pea shoots are the delicate leaves, stems and tendrils of the snow pea plant.
—
Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
The real lottery win stems directly from the unique circumstances of his roster journey during the 2025-26 campaign.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
These insects are notorious for piercing leaves and stems to extract sap, which can result in stunted growth, yellowing, and unsightly discoloration.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 31 May 2026
Sometimes stems can be woody or difficult to remove.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
That NextEra could rack up a string of scandals and still extract multi-billion-dollar rate hikes for FPL stems directly from weak-kneed, inept oversight by the Florida Public Service Commission.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Cut stems back by one-third of their height after the first flush of flowers fades in early summer to spur the plant continue blooming.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
Prune Away Dead and Weak Stems Prune away stems that are dead or weak.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
Nectar is a sweet, syrupy liquid produced in the blossoms, stems and leaves of many plants.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
The real lottery win stems directly from the unique circumstances of his roster journey during the 2025-26 campaign.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
These insects are notorious for piercing leaves and stems to extract sap, which can result in stunted growth, yellowing, and unsightly discoloration.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 31 May 2026
Sometimes stems can be woody or difficult to remove.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
That NextEra could rack up a string of scandals and still extract multi-billion-dollar rate hikes for FPL stems directly from weak-kneed, inept oversight by the Florida Public Service Commission.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Cut stems back by one-third of their height after the first flush of flowers fades in early summer to spur the plant continue blooming.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
Prune Away Dead and Weak Stems Prune away stems that are dead or weak.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
Nectar is a sweet, syrupy liquid produced in the blossoms, stems and leaves of many plants.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 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
-
The city’s easy-to-use tram system has stops just two blocks away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Four stops along the way offer free refreshments from highlighted local businesses.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
1 June 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
-
No security feature blocks every attack forever.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
During one of their early meetings, Castillo got on the whiteboard and described a basic pass protection in which every lineman slides over and blocks a gap.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
After certification work concludes, Airbus will retrofit the aircraft to Qantas’ final commercial specifications ahead of delivery preparations.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
The trailer concludes with Reinsve entering the space as well.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stems. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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