discontinue

[ dis-kuhn-tin-yoo ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·con·tin·ued, dis·con·tin·u·ing.

1. to put an end to; stop; terminate:

   to discontinue nuclear testing.

   Antonyms: resume

2. to cease to take, use, subscribe to, etc.:

   to discontinue a newspaper.

3. Law. to terminate or abandon (a suit, claim, or the like).

verb (used without object)

, dis·con·tin·ued, dis·con·tin·u·ing.

1. to come to an end or stop; cease; desist.

discontinue

/ ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuː /

verb

1. to come or bring to an end; interrupt or be interrupted; stop
2. tr law to terminate or abandon (an action, suit, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˌdisconˈtinuance, noun
• ˌdisconˈtinuer, noun
• ˌdisconˌtinuˈation, noun

Other Words From

• discon·tinu·er noun
• undis·con·tinued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discontinue¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Anglo-French discontinuer, from Medieval Latin discontinuāre. See dis- ¹, continue

Synonym Study

See interrupt.

Example Sentences

GM will soon discontinue the Sonic, as part of a broader shift toward electric vehicles, but it was a durable hit.

From Fortune

Several families said that Ochsner staff pressured them into discontinuing treatment, even as they pushed back.

From ProPublica

In fact, On Wednesday, Texas became the first state to announce it had depleted the funding and will discontinue payments.

From Fortune

On Wednesday, Texas became the first state to announce it had depleted the funding and will discontinue payments.

From Fortune

With a 301 redirect to the root rule for any outdated, sold-out or discontinued content applied broadly in the process.

From Search Engine Land

We are therefore choosing to discontinue it after seven years.

From The Daily Beast

“At a certain point in my career as an artist, I made a necessary decision to discontinue suffering fools,” he scoffs.

From The Daily Beast

Sponsor reserves the right to discontinue the use of the Video Entry without notice to Entrant.

From The Daily Beast

So they did not wholly discontinue their evening paddles nor their lonely rambles along the shore.

From Project Gutenberg

To my amazement, she asked me to kindly discontinue the account of my adventures, in an icy tone, which left no room for protest.

From Project Gutenberg

Nezahualpilli was so affected by these signs that he gave orders to discontinue all hostilities.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, then, I shall ask you to allow me to discontinue this devotion after to-night.

From Project Gutenberg

He, however, suddenly gave me to understand that Madam Dupin thought my visits too frequent, and begged me to discontinue them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abandon
• break off
• cease
• give up
• halt
• interrupt
• quit
• suspend
• terminate