Definitions

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

He declined to say whether other cease and desist letters had been sent.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Ukraine and Russia will cease fire for the Orthodox Easter holidays, the warring countries' leaders said on Thursday, announcing a rare 32-hour halt in fighting.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Then after some minutes, we heard the small arms cease, the cannons continue.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Vocabulary lists containing cease

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act II

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Christmas Carol Vocab: A Lyrical Lexicon

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Unit 1: Telling Details

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