cease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cease" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the act of stopping or bringing something to an end. Example: "The company decided to cease all operations until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shortly before the meeting the council issued a statement expressing "grave concern at the continued fighting in and around Debaltseve" and demanded that all parties to the conflict cease hostilities immediately.

The Guardian

It must cease to deny the freedom of the press The fundamental problem was the political, not the military, judgment involved.

The Guardian - Tech

The government of the UK must cease to vitiate the civil liberties of its people, it must cease to use its territory and its transport facilities as an auxiliary to American military misbehaviour.

The Guardian - Tech

However in 1994, the US and North Korea signed an agreement in which Kim Jong-il – the current leader's father – agreed to cease plutonium production, an important by-product in the working of a nuclear reactor.

The Guardian

Yet nothing contributed more to the division, mistrust and implosion of our society in the north than Sinn Fein and the IRA's refusal to heed the cries of the people of Ireland to cease their violence.

The Guardian

Last week News Corp announced that mX, its free commuter paper in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, would cease publication on 12 June, resulting in the loss of 30 journalists' jobs.

The Guardian

The owner of the garage – a "slum" where the actors have been rehearsing and performing – has been warned to cease collaboration with BFT, or his house will be demolished.

The Guardian

It must cease all special permits and refrain from issuing any more.

The Guardian

This flow will not cease' Francis has made migration one of the priorities of his pontificate and will likely raise the issue when he visits the US in September.

The Guardian

A spokeswoman for the commission said the modelling scenarios had been adjusted to reflect announcements by Holden and Toyota that they plan to cease automotive manufacturing in Australia.

The Guardian

"Belarus should immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and cease continuing human rights violations against critics of the government," it said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cease" to indicate a formal or definitive end to an action or process. It adds a level of seriousness and finality suitable for professional and formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cease" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "stop" or "end" are often more appropriate and natural in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cease" is a verb, indicating the action of stopping or terminating something. Ludwig examples show it used in imperative contexts, such as demanding parties "cease hostilities", and in descriptive contexts, as in "the killings from both factions cease".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cease" is a verb used to indicate the stopping or termination of an action or process. It is most commonly found in news and media, formal business settings, and occasionally in scientific contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English, particularly when a formal or definitive tone is desired. Related alternatives include "discontinue", "halt", and "terminate", though each carries slightly different nuances. When writing, reserve "cease" for situations where a formal, serious, or official tone is required; in casual contexts, simpler alternatives are often more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Stop

A general and versatile term for ending an action or process.

End

A simple and direct way to indicate the conclusion of something.

Discontinue

Implies a formal termination, often of a regular process or service.

Terminate

Indicates a formal and definitive end, often used in legal or official contexts.

Halt

Suggests a sudden or abrupt stop, often temporary.

Desist

Implies a formal command to stop doing something, often in a legal context.

Refrain from

Indicates a deliberate act of stopping oneself from doing something.

Give up

Suggests abandoning an effort or habit.

Break off

Implies an abrupt termination of a relationship or connection.

Cut off

Suggests a complete and often forceful interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "cease" in a sentence?

The word "cease" is a verb that means to stop or come to an end. For example, "The company decided to cease all operations until further notice". It's often used in formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "cease"?

You can use alternatives like "stop", "discontinue", or "terminate" depending on the context. Each carries slightly different nuances.

Which is correct, "cease" or "seize"?

"Cease" means to stop, while "seize" means to take hold of something, often forcefully. They have completely different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.

What's the difference between "cease" and "stop"?

"Cease" is generally more formal than "stop". While "stop" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, "cease" is more appropriate for official or serious situations.