cease

/siːs/verb

To bring an activity to an end; to stop.

Example sentences

“The factory ceased production last year.”
“By midnight the rain had finally ceased.”

Formal; in everyday speech 'stop' is the natural choice. Survives mainly in 'ceasefire' and the legal threat 'cease and desist'.

Synonyms for cease

stop
end
halt
discontinue

Antonyms

begin
start
continue

Often confused with cease

cease vs seize

On the Academic Word List. Find it in: Academic vocabulary.

Related words

ceilingThe surface that closes off the top of a room, above your head.cavernA cave of great size.cellarA closed-in room below ground level, usually beneath a building, used to store things or take shelter.caveA big natural hollow space underground or in the side of a cliff or hill.censureStrong criticism or official blame for something judged to be wrong.cautiousActing carefully to avoid danger or mistakes.