cease

[ sees ]

verb (used without object)

, ceased, ceas·ing.

1. to stop; discontinue:

   Not all medieval beliefs have ceased to exist.

   Antonyms: begin

2. to come to an end:

   At last the war has ceased.

   Synonyms: culminate, end, terminate

   Antonyms: begin

3. Obsolete. to pass away; die out.

verb (used with object)

, ceased, ceas·ing.

1. to put a stop or end to; discontinue:

   He begged them to cease their quarreling.

noun

1. cessation:

   The noise of the drilling went on for hours without cease.

cease

/ siːs /

verb

1. whentr, may take a gerund or an infinitive as object to bring or come to an end; desist from; stop

noun

1. without cease
   without stopping; incessantly

Word History and Origins

Origin of cease¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English ces(s)en, from Old French cesser, from Latin cessāre “to leave off,” equivalent to cess(us) (past participle of cēdere “to withdraw, go”; cede

Word History and Origins

Origin of cease¹

C14: from Old French cesser, from Latin cessāre, frequentative of cēdere to yield, cede

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. never cease to amaze. never cease to amaze.

More idioms and phrases containing cease

In addition to the idiom beginning with cease , also see wonders will never cease .

Example Sentences

I will sign a new executive order instructing every federal agency to cease all programs that promote the concept of sex and gender transition at any age.”

From Los Angeles Times

IO Interactive, the creators of the Hitman video game, said it would cease its collaboration with McGregor in light of the court ruling.

From BBC

Willis asked that Trump cease using his music at rallies, saying he "can no longer look the other way."

From Salon

Flights and phone lines between the two countries have been suspended, and diplomatic contact between their leaders has ceased.

From BBC

Mr Harvey then replied to all the doctors on the email chain to say "this is absolutely being treated with the same degree of urgency… all emails cease forthwith".

From BBC

Related Words

• break off
• desist
• discontinue
• fail
• halt
• quit
• refrain
• terminate