stop 1 of 2

verb

ˈstäp How to pronounce stop (audio)
Definition of stopnext
1
as in to cease
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the manufacturer will stop selling the toy and will immediately recall all the units that have already been sold

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to halt
to bring (something) to a standstill traffic was stopped for over an hour by the overturned truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fill
to close up so that no empty spaces remain I stopped the mouse hole with plaster

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to end
to come to an end the music stopped but we kept on dancing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to overcome
to achieve a victory over they were eventually stopped by the best team in the league

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stop

2 of 2

noun

1
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

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2
as in station
a regular stopping place had lunch on a picnic table at a shady rest stop along the highway

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3
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult pulled out all the stops and presented the most spectacular show ever

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in halt
the stopping of a process or activity put a stop to this nonsense

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
In February, the Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois, instituted parking fees to stop people from using the garage for the Chicago O’Hare International Airport or nearby event parking. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 But that hasn’t stopped residents’ efforts across the country to remove Flock from their communities. — Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
Fort Worth became an important stop along the Chisholm Trail and later flourished as a cattle market after the Texas and Pacific Railway came to town in 1876. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 At the second driveway, officers conducted a felony stop and repeatedly ordered Scharf to get out of the running SUV, the report says, per CBS12. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stop
  1. cease
  2. halt
  3. fill
  4. end
  5. overcome
  6. break
  7. station
  8. obstacle
Verb
  • The idea is to pressure Iran's hardline leadership enough that they are forced to come back to the negotiating table and/or cease aggression around the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The one issue that could have been a distraction — Daniels’ attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU in an effort to get the school to stop using Daniels’ name, image and likeness — appears not to have rattled the quarterback.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of cease
Verb
  • Trade groups representing cities, counties and businesses argued the first provision would give tribes power to delay or halt projects, including those that had already been reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But the index has stayed within 2% of the peak, the pullbacks so far halting a handful of points above what had been the top of the former multi-month range.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of halt
Verb
  • Similar to the Army, SAE was filled with young men from all walks of life; every economic background, faith, and ethnicity were represented.
    — Todd Buchanan, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their vehicles are packed with animal triage kits filled with supplies to treat injuries and wounds.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fill
Verb
  • However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Amid a scorching stretch, Bregman ends the month with his lifetime total now sitting at two.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of end
Verb
  • The Tar Heels’ ability to overcome some sloppiness — and, yes, take advantage of a slew of TCU mistakes — was a positive intangible sign after Belichick’s brutal debut season and offseason.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But to overcome 30 years of Republican dominance, Talarico needs votes from everywhere.
    — Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of overcome
Noun
  • The team's official drumline, The Pack, pounded on illuminated drums during quarter breaks, while Skye, the team's sassy, blue-haired lioness mascot, jumped onto the T-shirt cannon to launch souvenir merchandise high into stadium seats.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Mourinho also voiced concerns about the upcoming three-week international break, fearing player injuries.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of break
Noun
  • Iranian news agency Rokna reported that people in Tehran said some petrol stations had no gas available, forcing them to temporarily close, while other stations had long lines on Monday and Tuesday.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • While at the scene, they were notified by BART police that a third stabbing victim had been found near the Fruitvale station.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of station
Noun
  • Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The emotional incompatibility of self-care Applebaum said that even those who can overcome the practical obstacles often still struggle to take care of themselves.
    — Elissa Strauss, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstacle

Phrases Containing stop

Browse Nearby Words

stoop (to)
stop
stop (by)
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Cite this Entry

“Stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stop. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stop

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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