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stop

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noun

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as in break
a brief halt in a journey our guide called for a stop at the trail hut so we could eat and rest a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in station
a regular stopping place had lunch on a picnic table at a shady rest stop along the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stop distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of stop are cease, desist, discontinue, and quit. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

In what contexts can cease take the place of stop?

While in some cases nearly identical to stop, cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality.

by nightfall the fighting had ceased

When can desist be used instead of stop?

In some situations, the words desist and stop are roughly equivalent. However, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When could discontinue be used to replace stop?

The meanings of discontinue and stop largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When is quit a more appropriate choice than stop?

Although the words quit and stop have much in common, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stop
Verb
Ronnie Dunn unexpectedly stopped a performance in Indianapolis. Raven Brunner, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025 He belly flopped onto the ice in ecstasy and relief before he was mobbed by his teammates, and then the game stopped to celebrate the greatest goal scorer who ever lived. Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
On April 4, a 9-year-old boy — who has been identified as Gabriel Andrews — was found dead in Frankfort, Ky., after being swept away by floodwaters while walking to a school bus stop, Cleveland 19 News reported. Latoya Gayle, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Ideas such as bypassing stops on the Red Line near Streeterville, establishing a curfew on the CTA or holding parents legally responsible for their children’s actions at the gatherings have also floated around. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stop
Verb
  • Yellow’s bankruptcy journey has lasted roughly 20 months, with the century-old less-than-truckload (LTL) company ceasing operations July 30, 2023.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 1 Apr. 2025
  • If Jun-no can’t turn things around quickly the company may cease to exist.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • During a recent visit to Beijing, Trump ally and US Senator Steve Daines told Bloomberg News that China must halt the flow of fentanyl ingredients into the US before any trade negotiations could begin.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
  • President Donald Trump has worked to advance his agenda at lightning speed, but courts have halted those efforts after an avalanche of challenges to his actions.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Open Position Was Merged With An Existing Job An open job is posted to fill a vacancy due to promotions, turnover, new departments, exponential business growth, or a new expertise required to support the business.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Ukraine would be ready to fill any vacant space in the EU and NATO if Hungary chooses to vacate it in favour of membership in the CIS or CSTO.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Pinch hitter Gavin Lux followed with a walk, but two straight flyouts ended that threat.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Afterwards, final voting commences on August 18 and ends the night of August 27.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Both Banchero and Wagner, who started alongside Cory Joseph, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr., were able to overcome the defensive attention from the Kings and attack the basket with ease.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward overcoming them.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Tigers trailed Creighton at halftime and led Michigan just 30-29 at the break before pulling away down the stretch of both of those games.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Keegan Murray heating up Kings forward Keegan Murray averaged 12.0 points while shooting 43.5% from the field and 32.2% from 3-point range in 52 games before the All-Star break.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Each station had a line of people waiting for their turn at the controls of some new game to get a taste of the style, the look, and the all-important gameplay.
    Henk Rogers, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Rather than replace the free-for-all with a streamlined review process, restaurants seeking approval for new sheds hit delay after delay, bureaucratic obstacle after bureaucratic obstacle.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike clumsier species that struggle with obstacles, the black mamba leverages every surface with surgical precision, effectively turning the landscape into a series of launchpads.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stop. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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