discontinue
Americanverb (used with object)
-
discontinues,
present (3rd person singular)
-
discontinued,
past participle, past
-
discontinuing
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
discontinues,
present (3rd person singular)
-
discontinued,
past participle, past
-
discontinuing
present participle
verb
-
to come or bring to an end; interrupt or be interrupted; stop
-
(tr) law to terminate or abandon (an action, suit, etc)
Synonym Usage
See interrupt.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
discontinuesimple
-
discontinuessimple
-
have discontinuedperfect
-
has discontinuedperfect
-
am discontinuingprogressive
-
are discontinuingprogressive
-
is discontinuingprogressive
-
have been discontinuingperfect progressive
-
has been discontinuingperfect progressive
Past
-
discontinuedsimple
-
had discontinuedperfect
-
was discontinuingprogressive
-
were discontinuingprogressive
-
had been discontinuingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of discontinue
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Anglo-French discontinuer, from Medieval Latin discontinuāre. See dis- 1, continue
Explanation
To discontinue something is to stop it. If you've grown bored with the magazine you get in the mail every month, you can discontinue your subscription. You discontinue things that you want to quit doing or otherwise want to bring to an end. A company also might discontinue a product, or stop making it — you'll be sad if a candy maker discontinues your favorite jelly beans. The word discontinue combines dis-, or "not," with continue, which comes from the Latin continuare, "join together, connect, or make continuous."
Vocabulary lists containing discontinue
The Search Is Over: Synonyms for "Stop"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for January 7–January 13, 2023
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Be Prepared" by Vera Brosgol
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
"Anyone who notices hair shedding, an itchy or red scalp or nail changes should mention it to their doctor rather than discontinue therapy."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026
She also cited her life experience as the daughter of immigrants, a single mother and a widow who was faced with the decision of whether to discontinue life support for her husband.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Coffee yogurt: Dannon’s decision to discontinue the fan favorite offers brand strategists a live study in managing heritage products against modern consumer shifts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
The attorney general had then filed to discontinue the case against Koroma and drop the charges, Bah said.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
In fact, I had been wondering for some time if we should not discontinue these meetings, given how they prolong our already very busy days.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Ford Motor on Monday said it would take a $19.5 billion charge as it refocuses on hybrids, slashes its electric-vehicle investments and discontinues the electric F-150 pickup truck.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 15, 2025
What will I do if Nikko discontinues that wonderful William Morris design before I commit to it?
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 5, 2023
Sometimes, when a company discontinues a beloved food, fans take to the social media streets, lamenting the loss or even petitioning the cruel corporate gods for its return.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 13, 2023
It’s not dissimilar to when a makeup line discontinues a color but at a much higher cost.
From The Verge ● Mar. 10, 2022
Parvati immediately discontinues her religious asceticism; for "successful effort regenerates."
From Translations of Shakuntala and Other Works by Kalidasa
The researchers also examined what happened after tirzepatide was discontinued.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
General Motors GM 1.42%increase; green up pointing triangle reported a decline in third-quarter sales, as discontinued models and a diminished market for electric vehicles weighed on the company’s performance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
The report said proceedings would be discontinued if there was insufficient evidence of any criminal suspicion, such as knowingly placing life in danger.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
However, the participants taking EloraTZP also experienced more frequent gastrointestinal adverse events, and they discontinued treatment at a far higher rate than people solely taking eloralintide or Zepbound.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026
But these tours had been discontinued long before Lina was born.
From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
Section 6 writes the procedure for discontinuing the next circulating coin: 60 days’ notice to the banking committees, a phaseout plan, a briefing.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
Microsoft has since softened its approach, dialing back the branding of some AI tools and even discontinuing free, built-in Copilot access in certain Office applications.
From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026
Another frustrated user described the Kindle as "probably one of the most low-tech devices ever made" and queried why Amazon was discontinuing its support for it.
From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2026
Sony Honda Mobility is discontinuing the development and launch of its Afeela 1 electric vehicle and a second model.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
But the counselor has told me that he feels that Andy is adjusting quite well to the situation, and we will be discontinuing those sessions on a regular basis.
From "Tears of a Tiger" by Sharon M. Draper
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
