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

While you are there, you feel like time and space cease to exist, and you’re on vacation for just a few hours.

From Los Angeles Times

In August, generation at another major nuclear site in France was also disrupted by jellyfish, after a "massive and unpredictable" swarm forced the Gravelines plant to temporarily cease operations.

From BBC

It is understood Rayner's "primary residence" for council tax purposes remains her family home in her constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, but that following her divorce she ceased to own a stake in the property.

From BBC

With eight months still to go until the Holyrood election, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has confidently predicted that the Conservatives will soon cease to be a political force in Scotland.

From BBC

The drone activity never ceases, and the war injured, and the dead, can only be safely retrieved at night.

From BBC

Related Words

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