cease

[sees]

verb (used without object)

ceased, ceasing 

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, ceasing 

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. to bring or come to an end; desist from; stop

noun

1. 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

• wonders will never cease

Example Sentences

Critically, civil enforcement inspections — on-site visits to facilities to check their compliance with environmental regulations — will also cease.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Curnow said Wild Child had ceased working with PCR laboratories and had submitted its formulas for testing with other accredited, independent laboratories.

From BBC

The plan calls for the Israeli military to cease fighting once the pact is approved, but does not specify a final pullout of forces from Gaza.

From Los Angeles Times

When the government shuts down, the law requires all nonessential government services to cease, requiring most federal workers to go on furlough or work without pay.

From Los Angeles Times

County jail conditions for decades, would cease to exist if the Board of Supervisors moves forward with a cost-cutting plan.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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