stops 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of stop
1
2
3
4
5

stops

2 of 2

noun

plural of stop
1
as in breaks
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 stations
a regular stopping place had lunch on a picnic table at a shady rest stop along the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4

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 stops
Verb
The elevator stops at each floor and a new ghostly guest arrives offering some insight into Will’s plan. Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025 Some gardeners choose to pinch those old flowers away every day to enhance the look of their plants, while others decide to wait until the entire flower scape stops blooming to cut the scape stem down to the soil line. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025 Top 5 Can’t Miss Take a boat tour that stops at turquoise coves and remote beaches like Ilha do Farol and Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia. Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025 This step stops apps from following you across other platforms and building data profiles about your habits. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025 Freezing foods below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) stops bacterial growth. Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 Nov. 2025 The maximally stupid outcome—which, by that very fact, seems all too probable—is that Trump gets bored of the whole affair and stops the air strikes after a putsch has been discovered, but before it’s succeeded. Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025 In a sector where sustainability often stops at the label, this model carries the virtue of being both circular and selfless. Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025 Time stops when ropes are tight and ropers are facing each other. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025 The question is whether the San Francisco defense can get enough stops to give this offense a chance. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 That’s why the midterms will likely have a heavy emphasis on candidate visits to podcasts and social media streaming shows, among other non-traditional outlets, in addition to the usual network and mainstream media stops. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 Climate change was not often mentioned during his campaign stops or debate points. Simmone Shah, Time, 5 Nov. 2025 Shane has also welcomed guests such as The Chainsmokers and Alix Earle at other stops. Michael Schneider, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025 Here’s the rundown on the easiest flight routes, the best stops, how to make domestic transfers smooth, and how to save in the process. Jade Moyano, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025 Amid the press stops, Kardashian has worn a vintage Dior icy blue dress at the show’s Paris premiere and a neutral-brown Schiaparelli gown with black linear accents at the Los Angeles premiere, among other looks. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025 The sources say their crew seem to be employed by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and their regular social media posts provide a trail of their stops on the China to Iran journey. Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stops
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
  • The motor disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied or the throttle is released.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This designation halts outpatient and elective procedures and ensures more beds are open for emergencies.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Park websites and social media accounts also go dark, fire management plans are paused, and wildlife tracking halts midseason.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Each character has their own specialized sequences for these moments, and can go a step further once their synergy meter fills, allowing two fighters to do a special team-up that’s also customized to each individual pairing.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Capacity is limited, and fills up fast.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But Duffy said air traffic controllers probably wouldn’t return to work right away, even if the shutdown ends.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • From arts and history to beaches and boardwalks, these four coastal towns are worth a visit after the busy season ends.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Robotic system overcomes key technical challenges If implemented at large scale, the system could help tackle range anxiety for EVs.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The depth of humanity Kosztolányi brings to the sorrowful life of Skylark and her adoring parents is magical, and rewards anyone who overcomes its modest premise.
    New York Times, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Imagine me at lunch or dinner breaks on that movie, sitting between the two of them—Peyton and Bradley—knowing little to nothing about football.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Homecooked meals with Lido’s parents and dips into the nearby fjord filled the gaps during recording breaks.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Jacksonville can count on several military facilities, including naval stations and a submarine base, and Washington is, of course, home to the Pentagon.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • On the earnings call, Sinclair president and CEO Chris Ripley noted that Sinclair’s ABC stations are currently affected by the Disney-YouTube TV dispute, which has resulted in a blackout of ABC, as well as ESPN and other networks, on YouTube TV since last Friday.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Sununu ultimately prevailed in his 2002 Senate campaign, but not without criticism and obstacles from the pro-Israel lobby due to his voting record, which some Jewish organizations and leaders perceived as anti-Israel.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
  • With fewer obstacles in the air than on the road, autonomous flight might actually prove safer than driving.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stops. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stops

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!