cease
/siːs/verb★Intermediate
general
to stop an action or process
The negotiations ceased when both parties walked out.
The negotiations stopped when both parties left.
💡
Often used with 'to' to specify what is stopping.
formal
to come to an end; to terminate
Hostilities ceased at midnight.
Fighting ended at midnight.
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Common in legal and formal contexts.
Collocations
cease to existto no longer existcease operationsto stop business activitiescease and desista legal order to stop an action
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
cease and desistphrase
a legal order to stop an action
💡Pro Tip
Formal Usage
Use 'cease' in formal writing or legal documents for a more authoritative tone.
⚡Gold Rule
Correct Prepositions
'Cease' is often followed by 'to' + verb (e.g., 'cease to exist') or 'from' + noun (e.g., 'cease from work').
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'cesen', from Old French 'cesser', from Latin 'cessare' (to go slow, stop), frequentative of 'cedere' (to yield).
📝Usage Notes
Often used in formal or legal contexts. Can be followed by 'to' + verb or 'from' + noun.
Word Breakdown
cease
to stop
rootEnglish Dictionary