stop 1 of 2

verb

Definition of stopnext
1
as in to cease
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the manufacturer will stop selling the toy and will immediately recall all the units that have already been sold

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2
as in to halt
to bring (something) to a standstill traffic was stopped for over an hour by the overturned truck

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3
as in to fill
to close up so that no empty spaces remain I stopped the mouse hole with plaster

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4
as in to end
to come to an end the music stopped but we kept on dancing

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5
as in to overcome
to achieve a victory over they were eventually stopped by the best team in the league

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stop

2 of 2

noun

1
as in break
a brief halt in a journey our guide called for a stop at the trail hut so we could eat and rest a bit

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2
as in station
a regular stopping place had lunch on a picnic table at a shady rest stop along the highway

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3
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult pulled out all the stops and presented the most spectacular show ever

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4
as in halt
the stopping of a process or activity put a stop to this nonsense

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stop distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of stop are cease, desist, discontinue, and quit. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

In what contexts can cease take the place of stop?

While in some cases nearly identical to stop, cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality.

by nightfall the fighting had ceased

When can desist be used instead of stop?

In some situations, the words desist and stop are roughly equivalent. However, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When could discontinue be used to replace stop?

The meanings of discontinue and stop largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When is quit a more appropriate choice than stop?

Although the words quit and stop have much in common, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

Phrases Containing stop

Thesaurus Entries Near stop

stoop (to)

stop

stop (by)

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Cite this Entry

“Stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stop. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stop

Nglish: Translation of stop for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of stop for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stop

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