Thesaurus

stop

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of stop

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 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

Synonyms for stop

Words Related to stop

close (down)

deactivate

call,
suspend

Phrases Synonymous with stop

Near Antonyms for stop

2 to bring (something) to a standstill

traffic was stopped for over an hour by the overturned truck

Synonyms for stop

Words Related to stop

Near Antonyms for stop

3 to close up so that no empty spaces remain

I stopped the mouse hole with plaster

Synonyms for stop

Words Related to stop

repack,
restuff

Near Antonyms for stop

4 to come to an end

the music stopped but we kept on dancing

Synonyms for stop

Words Related to stop

Phrases Synonymous with stop

bite the dust

Near Antonyms for stop

Antonyms for stop

5 to achieve a victory over

they were eventually stopped by the best team in the league

Synonyms for stop

Words Related to stop

sweep

edge (out),
nose out,
pip
[British]

Phrases Synonymous with stop

Near Antonyms for stop

Antonyms for stop

lose (to)

stop

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of stop (Entry 2 of 2)

1 a brief halt in a journey

our guide called for a stop at the trail hut so we could eat and rest a bit

Synonyms for stop

layover,
stopover

Words Related to stop

2 a regular stopping place

had lunch on a picnic table at a shady rest stop along the highway

Synonyms for stop

Words Related to stop

depot,
terminal

layover,
stopover

outstation

3 something that makes movement or progress difficult

pulled out all the stops and presented the most spectacular show ever

Synonyms for stop

Words Related to stop

embargo,
stoppage

Near Antonyms for stop

4 the stopping of a process or activity

put a stop to this nonsense

Synonyms for stop

Words Related to stop

mop-up,
phaseout

Near Antonyms for stop

Antonyms for stop

Frequently Asked Questions About stop

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