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Synonym Chooser

How is the word discontinue distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of discontinue are cease, desist, quit, and stop. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When might cease be a better fit than discontinue?

In some situations, the words cease and discontinue are roughly equivalent. However, 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 discontinue?

While the synonyms desist and discontinue are close in meaning, desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When is it sensible to use quit instead of discontinue?

The meanings of quit and discontinue largely overlap; however, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

When could stop be used to replace discontinue?

The words stop and discontinue can be used in similar contexts, but stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

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 discontinue With their firmware updates long discontinued, any still in use are soft targets for attackers. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2025 Even in countries like Canada, where penny production has been discontinued, the penny remains legal tender today. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 25 May 2025 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also terminated nearly $3 million in grants for Harvard after the university defied a list of demands that included discontinuing its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, reforming student discipline policies and implementing a mask ban. Anna Commander gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 Or the $10 and $20 coins, which were discontinued in 1933. Michael Barclay, Quartz, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for discontinue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinue
Verb
  • Yet, for some time now, there has been a third movement that tends to be articulated more in art than elsewhere, even if elsewhere there has long since ceased to be any alternative.
    Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • The mayor also said that late-night establishments and all nightclubs must cease operations at midnight.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The property had been abandoned for about three years, according to Dawkins.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2025
  • Ford abandoned its stake in its robotaxi developer Argo.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • On September 2, Border Force officers had stopped two women at London Stansted Airport.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Goldman Sachs and Nasdaq have both stopped requiring companies using them for an IPO to have diverse board members.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • The administration could ask the Supreme Court to halt the ruling as early as Friday.
    Alex Harring,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 May 2025
  • The ruling halts the president's tariffs in nearly every country, though the White House is all but certain to appeal the decision.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • For example, quitting is one of the hardest moments to avoid tears.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • When an instance of misconduct is alleged and the investigation begins to make some headway, the police or corrections officer might quit or retire.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Delegations from the warring sides agreed Monday to swap dead and wounded troops, but their conditions for ending the war remained far apart.
    Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • Even stronger-than-expected first quarter results For the quarter ended May 2, Dollar General’s net sales rose 5.3% to $10.4 billion, same-store sales climbed 2.4%, and diluted earnings per share increased 7.9% to $1.78.
    Catherine Baab, Quartz, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Given the impending deadline, some strategists argue that the United States should engage Russia in a new nuclear agreement and that the way to do so is to open negotiations while continuing to abide by the limits set by New START even after the treaty expires, in early 2026.
    Eric S. Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
  • Be sure safety equipment is not expired or damaged.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • As the in-person portion of this year’s milestone edition concludes, Animayo continues to cement its reputation as a global hub for creative innovation, storytelling, and visual excellence.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 29 May 2025
  • When this period of rapid expansion concludes, Nvidia’s valuation will likely drop significantly.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discontinue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinue. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on discontinue

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