Definitions

stops

NOUN

end, halt; impediment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bar block break conclusion pause

STRONG

barricade blockade cease cessation check close closing control cutoff discontinuation ending fence finish freeze hindrance layoff letup lull plug roadblock standstill stay stoppage termination wall

WEAK

blank wall break off brick wall desistance grinding halt screeching halt

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continuation

STRONG

advance aid assistance beginning commencement go help initiation introduction opening start

NOUN

visit; place of rest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break destination halt stage station stopover

STRONG

depot rest sojourn stay termination terminus

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continuation start

WEAK

beginning go

VERB

bring or come to a halt or end

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break cease close drop end halt hold kill pause put an end to quit stall stand stay

STRONG

conclude desist discontinue finish refrain scrub tarry terminate

WEAK

be over blow off break off call it a day cold turkey come to a standstill cool it cut out cut short draw up hang it up pull up quit cold run its course shut down sign off wind up wrap up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance allow bear begin commence continue create do give birth go initiate release start

STRONG

carry on introduce restart

WEAK

encourage

VERB

prevent, hold back

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrest avoid bar block break check close disrupt intercept interrupt stall stay stem suspend

STRONG

bottle choke clog congest fill fix forestall frustrate gag hinder hush impede muzzle obstruct occlude plug repress restrain seal silence staunch still stopper

WEAK

choke off cut off put a stop to rein in shut down shut off shut out throw over turn off ward off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abet advance aid allow cause continue encourage go help let go open permit release

STRONG

assist clear disturb facilitate forward free liberate promote support unblock

WEAK

begin start

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.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pulled out all the stops for Xi when he arrived on Monday, from a red-carpet welcome to elaborate acrobatic performances.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The increase in calls seems to have given teams more room to score, as intended, despite more starts and stops to game flow.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Wembanyama stops drive after drive, but the Knicks don’t relent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Push financing costs up, and that monthly bill stops looking cheaper than the utility—which is the sector’s whole pitch.

From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026

A young Black woman with big, beaded earrings pushing a stroller stops right in front of us.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith