surcease

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "surcease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the cessation or stopping of something, often in a poetic or formal context. Example: "In the quiet of the night, he longed for surcease from his troubles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

High-level meetings with creditor nations bring no surcease.

The Economist

It felt slightly upside down that the show ended with all three sisters playing the drums, rather than roaring together in voice: the world wants to hear them sing and talk, without surcease.

The New Yorker

The project, which seems to have begun as a kind of surcease from his commercial work — a way of recapturing some of the concerns and obsessions that had led him to New York and to art in the first place — soon became a substitute.

The New Yorker

He wrote, "It is difficult to conceive by what magic the mere surcease or renunciation of an interest in a subject of property, by an individual possessing that interest, can alter the essential character of that property".

The New Yorker

Anyone who grew up in record stores knows the cast: the guy who stood next to the register and talked, without surcease, to whoever was stuck behind the counter.

The New Yorker

(For many years, Mojo seemed to be compiling every possible list about every aspect of rock music, against reason, and yet without surcease).

The New Yorker

Notepaper condolences, no matter how awkwardly expressed, offer more surcease than printed cards.

The New Yorker

All baseball is local, and what this historic surcease means to lifelong Red Sox rooters was expressed by a friend, a newspaper man in his late fifties, who called the morning after the Series ended and said, "I'm so elated.

The New Yorker

In the long course of "The Surrendered," Lee makes us understand, in painful increments, the virtue of endurance and the blessing of simple surcease.

The New York Times

Eagerly I wished the morrow; – vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Lenore – For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore – Nameless here for evermore.

The New York Times

After all, when the image of a human and a human herself have become effectively indistinguishable, the only surcease from the toil of existence will come when she's been switched off.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surcease" in formal or literary contexts where a more elevated tone is desired. It's particularly effective when discussing abstract concepts like sorrow, pain, or conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "surcease" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound unnatural or pretentious in such settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "end" or "relief" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "surcease" is as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it signifies the cessation or ending of something. As a verb, it means to come to an end. Ludwig examples show usage in various contexts, consistent with formal language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surcease" functions as both a noun and a verb, denoting the cessation or ending of something, often with an emphasis on relief. While grammatically correct, as validated by Ludwig, it is most appropriate in formal or literary contexts, particularly within news and media. When choosing alternatives, consider the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. It's crucial to recognize that using "surcease" in casual settings might appear unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cessation

More formal and direct, referring to a complete stopping of something.

end

A general term for the termination of something.

termination

A formal term for bringing something to an end.

respite

Implies a temporary break or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

relief

Focuses on the alleviation of pain, distress, or difficulty.

pause

Indicates a temporary interruption or break.

intermission

Suggests a break in the middle of an activity or event.

hiatus

A gap or interruption in a series or process.

suspension

A temporary stopping of something.

abeyance

A state of temporary disuse or suspension.

FAQs

How to use "surcease" in a sentence?

You can use "surcease" as a noun to mean cessation or end, as in "seeking surcease from sorrow". It can also be used as a verb, meaning to come to an end, as in "the storm surceased at dawn".

What can I say instead of "surcease"?

You can use alternatives like "cessation", "end", "respite", or "relief" depending on the context.

Is "surcease" a common word?

"Surcease" is not a commonly used word in modern English. It is more frequently found in literature and formal writing. Using other alternatives might be more appropriate for contemporary writing.

What's the difference between "surcease" and "cessation"?

"Surcease" often carries a connotation of relief or welcome ending, particularly from something negative. "Cessation" is a more neutral and direct term for the ending of something without necessarily implying relief.