discontinued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discontinued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a product, service, or practice is no longer available or has been stopped. Example: "The company announced that the production of the old model has been discontinued due to low demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Woods is too big a name for his sponsors to simply abandon him, even though Gatorade has discontinued its Tiger line (for other reasons, it says).

The Economist

The campaign was a bust from Volkswagen's perspective (the Cabrio was discontinued within three years).

The Guardian - Books

As toilets are not a statutory provision, London Borough of Wandsworth discontinued their public toilets last year, due to government spending cuts they no longer paid businesses to take part.

The Guardian

An anonymous caller phoned the public broadcaster while the first episode of The Thirty Cases of Major Zeman was being shown on Thursday to warn it that it would be bombed unless the reruns were discontinued.

The Guardian

Another 38 departing staff received additional payments to their pensions – a policy of "pension augmentation" which has since been discontinued – of £3.8m.

The Guardian

But it is seeking to sell the main operation that tenders for council contracts and has formally discontinued it for accounting purposes, though it continues to trade.

The Guardian

Many of us spend years trying to find the perfect pair of jeans – at which point that style is invariably discontinued by the manufacturer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, it placed the launch position in a different place to others, and said the attack could only have been carried out using a discontinued Buk M-1 system, which it claimed the Ukrainian army operated but the Russian army did not.

The Guardian

It is politely requesting that Page 3 be discontinued.

The Economist

Sapmer, a French fishing company, recently discontinued its canned-tuna production, instead concentrating on catching tuna for sushi and sashimi for the top end of the market.Frank Asche of the University of Stavanger, who helped to devise the FAO fish-price index, sees parallels with the divergence between farmed meat and wild game.

The Economist

Some have been discontinued, such as secret renditions and torture.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discontinued", ensure the context clearly indicates what is no longer available or in production. Be specific about the subject that has been discontinued to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "discontinued" without specifying the exact item or service that has ended. For example, instead of saying "The program was discontinued", clarify with "The community outreach program was discontinued due to budget cuts."

Linguistic Context

The word "discontinued" primarily functions as an adjective or a past participle of the verb 'discontinue'. It describes something that is no longer being produced or offered. As Ludwig AI highlights, it clearly indicates cessation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "discontinued" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something is no longer available or in production. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and understood across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance clarity, always specify the item or service being "discontinued". When alternatives are needed, consider phrases like "no longer available" or "out of production".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer available

Focuses on the availability aspect, suitable for products or services.

out of production

Specifically refers to manufacturing and production processes that have ceased.

terminated

Implies a more formal ending, often used for contracts or agreements.

ceased

A general term for stopping, applicable to various activities or processes.

halted

Indicates a sudden or abrupt stop, often temporary.

abandoned

Suggests that something has been left or deserted, often implying neglect.

phased out

Implies a gradual removal or cessation over time.

retired

Often used for products or models that are deliberately replaced by newer versions.

invalidated

Used when something is made void or ineffective, like a rule or claim.

suspended

Indicates a temporary stop, with the possibility of resumption in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "discontinued" in a sentence?

You can use "discontinued" to indicate that something is no longer available or being produced. For example, "That model of car has been discontinued" or "The company discontinued its support for the older software version".

What's a formal alternative to "discontinued"?

In formal contexts, you might use "no longer available" or "out of production" as alternatives to "discontinued", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "discontinued from"?

While not grammatically incorrect, it's more common and natural to say something was simply "discontinued". You could say "discontinued from use" or "discontinued from service", but often the "from" is unnecessary. For example, instead of “the product was discontinued from the market”, say “the product was discontinued”.

What is the difference between "discontinued" and "suspended"?

"Discontinued" means something has been permanently stopped, while "suspended" implies a temporary halt with the possibility of resuming in the future. For instance, a product line might be discontinued, whereas a service could be suspended temporarily.