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Definition of stopnext
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stop

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noun

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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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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stop (by or in)

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verb (2)

stop (up)

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verb (3)

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
At 55, Kid Rock barely stopped moving for nearly two hours — hopping, scratching records, playing saxophone, climbing a grand piano and conducting his band through country, rap-rock, blues and Southern rock. Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026 However, when the deadline passed on May 1, the administration refuted the need, with Hegseth citing the clock stopping with the ceasefire. CBS News, 12 May 2026
Noun
The first stop is a church run by the charismatic Divine (Erika Alexander), who bills herself as a healer. Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026 The complaint says the victim's car came to a stop near 53rd Avenue Northeast and University Avenue Northeast in Fridley. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for stop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stop
Verb
  • During his temporary leadership, FEMA ceased door-to-door canvassing to reach survivors after disasters, and canceled a multibillion-dollar resilience grant program, since restored by a federal judge.
    Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • The 47,000-square-foot store has been vacant since last June, when retail operations ceased following parent company Kroger’s decision to close several Chicago-area and suburban stores.
    Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • The new honey-gold edition continues to use this innovation, which allows the tourbillon to be halted at any moment by an arresting spring, regardless of the position of the balance or cage, enabling precise, one-second time setting.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • The land was dedicated as a park in 2008, but the Great Recession halted city spending on the project.
    Mark Dee May 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • If the federal gas tax is suspended from June 1 through October 1, for example, Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates that a household filling up a 15-gallon tank once a week would save about $35 over those four months.
    Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
  • Gauthier moved to the middle for one shift as top-line winger Troy Terry filled his spot on right wing.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Detroit catcher Dylan Dinger’s throw wasn’t in time to get Bichette, but shortstop Zach Short threw home to get Benge, ending the inning with the game still tied.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
  • Seiya Suzuki, up for the second time with two on, struck out to end the eighth.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Detroit allowed Cleveland to sprint to a 22-0 run to start the second half that took the Cavaliers from a four-point halftime deficit to an 18-point lead the Pistons were never able to overcome.
    Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 12 May 2026
  • To overcome this, researchers at ETH Zurich used a subtler effect called the geometric phase, which exploits the path taken by atoms through an artificial ‘crystal of light’ built from intersecting laser beams.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Clave Especial is finally taking a break.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • Gonzalez Rogers thanked the jurors for their contributions, and then everyone filed out for a break.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Food and drink All-day restaurant Pure serves up a sprawling breakfast buffet complete with omelette and pancake stations, heaving tropical fruit platters, and baked goods galore, including Polynesian treats like coconut bread.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
  • Some local stations in Richmond and Salt Lake City dropped the show following viewer outcry.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • But as the necessities of their jobs begin to push them farther apart, truckdriving becomes a serious obstacle to their budding relationship.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • The incidents involving contact with chains, trailer hitches, poles, and curbs indicate recurring limitations in detecting smaller or irregular obstacles, especially during reversing maneuvers.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stop. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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