cease

[sees] / sis /

VERB

stop, conclude

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break off desist discontinue fail halt quit refrain terminate

STRONG

close culminate die drop end finish intermit stay surcease

WEAK

back off bring to an end call it a day call it quits close out come to an end cut it out give over knock off leave off pack in quit cold turkey shut down wind up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

begin carry on complete continue do persevere restart start

STRONG

bear commence create open

WEAK

go initiate keep on

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By September, they claim, lawyers representing some of the families informed them they should cease direct contact, pending legal action.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The trust merely distributes money to him on a need-to-have basis and, depending on the rules, can just as easily cease payments.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Swalwell’s attorney Elias Dabaie of the law firm Dabaie Kelley, in Los Angeles, confirmed Friday that he sent the cease and desist letter, which tells the recipient that they could be sued for defamation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a truce for Orthodox Easter, with Vladimir Putin saying he's ordered Russian troops to cease fire "in all directions" this weekend.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

If he could be still enough, all the world’s motions would cease.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

Vocabulary lists containing cease

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act II

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Unit 1: Telling Details

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