stop 1 of 2

1
2
3
4
5

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

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

3
4

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

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 stop
Verb
Although not counted as a turnover, the Boise State defense also easily stopped a Nevada fake field goal in the first quarter. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025 Khloé Kardashian stops at Walmart in Los Angeles to pick up her new Khloud Protein Popcorn, which rolls out in stores across the country. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
And no matter the time of day or year, a stop at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve to see some of the largest trees on the planet is a must. Justin Goldman, AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025 Except his resume included stops at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Division II school; Elon, an FCS school; and James Madison (JMU), which only jumped to the FBS level in 2022. Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stop
Verb
  • In a filing on Friday, the nearly-defunct federal body sought summary judgment in NPR’s lawsuit against the organization over its decision to appropriate funding for satellite distribution to a select group of NPR member stations before the CPB ceases operations.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Congress failed to pass a budget or temporary funding measure before the federal fiscal year ended on October 1, forcing many federal agencies to cease all non-mandatory operations.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Then, a month after Sheen settled in, a typhoon destroyed over half of the sets created for the film, causing production to halt once again.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Two years later, a leak was found in another Kinder Morgan pipeline, causing the company to halt deliveries of gasoline and diesel from Los Angeles, where the spill was discovered, to Phoenix and Las Vegas.
    Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For me, it’s been really essential to read a lot of great information, and to come at the world filled with knowledge and all these ideas of, in my view, much smarter and braver people than myself.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • When an aneurysm bursts, Moore said, clamping or coiling — filling the bubble with wire — are effective treatments.
    Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 3-0 defeat to Chelsea that ended Ange Postecoglou’s 39-day reign was their worst display in this respect.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, all three women were heartbreakers — a major vibe shift after the two couples who broke up early this season ended because of the men.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • How Tielemans overcame early toils is often used as a source of encouragement by new additions who seem peripheral at first.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Her mission is to be an example of overcoming adversity, reminding the world that true success comes from working with love, respect, and shining without dimming the light of others.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the doorway at the back of the altar room that led to the kitchen, the household staff stood watching, bringing hot water for the lamas to drink during breaks.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The Senate left Capitol Hill on Thursday for a weekend break without signaling any moves to end the government shutdown.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Overall, the company has 595 package delivery stations already active as of the first quarter, alongside 65 sub-same-day fulfillment centers, according to estimates from supply chain consulting firm MWPVL International.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Yes, the hotel’s team was ready and waiting for me upon my arrival via private transfer from the train station in the nearby town of Rapallo.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But formidable obstacles remain in the way of a durable peace in Gaza, where a ceasefire collapsed in March after nearly two months of relative calm when Israel unleashed a barrage of airstrikes.
    Alexander Cornwell, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
  • But even with these obstacles, oddsmakers seem to believe the Bucs have plot armor.
    J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stop. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!