Synonyms of stop

stop 1 of 2

verb

ˈstäp 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cease
• halt
• end
• quit
• discontinue
• delay
• drop
• conclude
• suspend
• break
• finish
• can
• cut off
• shut off
• desist (from)
• lay off
• check
• cut out
• leave off
• break off
• pack (up or in)
• break up
• have done with
• give over
• knock off
• complete
• pause
• block
• ruin
• put the kibosh on
• stay
• suppress
• impede
• close (down)
• hinder
• obstruct
• hold
• abort
• deactivate
• detain
• call
• destroy
• brake
• hold back
• stem
• kill
• dam
• arrest
• scuttle
• blockade
• abolish
• squelch
• turn back
• dissolve
• stamp
• demolish
• stunt
• rein (in)
• stanch
• clamp down
• squash
• snuff
• annul
• kibosh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• proceed
• carry on
• keep up
• run on
• advance
• progress
• drive
• follow through (with)
• stir
• propel
• actuate
• impel

2

as in to halt

to bring (something) to a standstill

traffic was stopped for over an hour by the overturned truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halt
• catch
• stall
• check
• stay
• arrest
• block
• hinder
• still
• draw up
• suspend
• pull up
• impede
• hold
• end
• hold up
• obstruct
• bring up
• conclude
• fetch up
• detain
• terminate
• balk
• stem
• snag
• hold back
• discontinue
• dam
• cut off
• clog
• suppress
• call
• blockade
• turn back
• baffle
• bottleneck
• repress
• rein (in)
• squelch
• choke off
• stunt
• stanch
• squash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep (on)
• persist
• proceed
• carry on
• keep up
• run on
• move
• advance
• march
• progress
• go along
• push
• follow through (with)
• drive
• fare
• stir
• spur
• propel
• budge
• wend
• actuate
• impel
• goad

3

as in to fill

to close up so that no empty spaces remain

I stopped the mouse hole with plaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fill
• pack
• plug
• block
• dam
• seal
• stuff
• obstruct
• close (off)
• bung
• choke
• clog
• occlude
• congest
• jam
• clot
• repack
• caulk
• chink
• restuff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shovel
• hollow (out)
• excavate
• scoop (out)

4

as in to end

to come to an end

the music stopped but we kept on dancing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cease
• end
• halt
• conclude
• expire
• go
• pass
• terminate
• finish
• die
• close
• discontinue
• determine
• quit
• stall
• lapse
• elapse
• leave off
• wind up
• break off
• let up
• break up
• wink (out)
• bite the dust
• dead-end
• refrain (from)
• pause
• desist (from)
• stay
• suspend
• lay off (of)
• cut out
• pack (up or in)
• break down
• knock off
• give over
• abate
• wind down
• peter (out)
• conk (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• persist
• hang on
• extend
• prolong
• draw out
• protract

5

as in to overcome

to achieve a victory over

they were eventually stopped by the best team in the league

Synonyms & Similar Words

• overcome
• defeat
• take
• master
• get
• beat
• worst
• best
• conquer
• dispatch
• subdue
• surmount
• lick
• succeed
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• get around
• win (against)
• get the better of
• upend
• overbear
• trim
• finish
• do down
• overwhelm
• bury
• overmatch
• skunk
• sweep
• slaughter
• better
• crush
• upset
• surpass
• knock for a loop
• exceed
• break
• blow out
• annihilate
• whip
• flatten
• blow away
• nose out
• clobber
• bomb
• edge (out)
• flourish
• excel
• top
• score
• cream
• smoke
• snow under
• vanquish
• rout
• cap
• subjugate
• overpower
• skin
• unseat
• trounce
• overthrow
• thrash
• outdo
• transcend
• pip
• knock over
• outshine
• drub
• outstrip
• wax
• outdistance
• wallop
• shellac
• eclipse
• knock off
• ace (out)
• overtop
• outfight

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)
• fall
• fail
• give up
• go down
• collapse
• go under
• fold
• wash out
• flunk
• flop

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• break
• pause
• rest
• stopover
• layover

2

as in station

a regular stopping place

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• station
• depot
• way station
• terminal
• stopover
• layover
• outstation

3

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obstacle
• hurdle
• let
• obstruction
• embarrassment
• barrier
• interference
• block
• hindrance
• impediment
• chain
• deterrent
• burden
• inhibition
• stumbling block
• balk
• load
• cramp
• handicap
• delay
• clog
• shackles
• drag
• encumbrance
• hitch
• constraint
• brake
• catch
• bar
• curb
• rub
• trammel
• danger
• arrest
• crimp
• blockade
• rein
• holdback
• stone wall
• stoppage
• manacle
• fetter
• blockage
• disadvantage
• snag
• restraint
• stall
• brick wall
• difficulty
• check
• hazard
• embargo
• hobble
• bit
• hardship
• drawback
• peril
• holdup
• reef
• adversity
• cumber

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incentive
• impetus
• spur
• stimulus
• catalyst
• advantage
• break
• help
• edge
• assistance
• aid
• goad
• benefit
• stimulant
• boost
• handmaiden

4

as in halt

the stopping of a process or activity

put a stop to this nonsense

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halt
• cessation
• ending
• end
• close
• cease
• conclusion
• closure
• stay
• finish
• shutdown
• arrest
• stoppage
• termination
• offset
• discontinuance
• discontinuation
• cutoff
• expiration
• check
• shutoff
• lapse
• pause
• closedown
• surcease
• arrestment
• suspension
• interruption
• standstill
• break
• phaseout
• moratorium
• mop-up
• abeyance
• letup
• layoff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuation
• continuance
• extension
• persistence
• prolongation

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

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stop

Verb

Iran has effectively stopped oil tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil is carried. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026

Although efforts to stop the measure from appearing on the ballot on April 21 have failed, the state Supreme Court has already said the legal determination of whether the amendment is constitutional will be decided in court after voting has taken place. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 11 Mar. 2026

Noun

Congress previously put a stop to this program Brown's fears of violent offenders getting guns have some precedent. —Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026

The Ohio and Kentucky stops were meant to promote economic gains, but rising oil prices and Republican dissent over Iran threaten to complicate the message. —Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing stop

• stop (by or in)
• stop (up)