1
Core action
Stop happening or bring an activity, process, or condition to an end.
Example
The signal ceased shortly after sunset.
cease
/siːs/ · SEESSverb
Stop happening or bring an activity, process, or condition to an end.
Use cease to express this relationship precisely: stop happening or bring an activity, process, or condition to an end.
What cease Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The factory will cease production while the equipment is replaced.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Once irrigation ceased, the wetland gradually contracted.
Use cease Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The signal ceased shortly after sunset.
The factory will cease production while the equipment is replaced.
Once irrigation ceased, the wetland gradually contracted.
Precision Matters
Cease overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
cease
vs.Means stop happening or bring an activity, process, or condition to an end.
preclude
Means to prevent something from happening or make it impossible.
cease
vs.Means stop happening or bring an activity, process, or condition to an end.
moribund
Means approaching death or becoming inactive, obsolete, or defunct.
cease
vs.Means stop happening or bring an activity, process, or condition to an end.
from then on
Means starting at a stated time and continuing after it.
cease
vs.Means stop happening or bring an activity, process, or condition to an end.
subsequently
Means afterward; at a later time than the event just mentioned.
Test cease in Context
They will stop the activity when the stated condition is met.
1
The researchers agreed to ___ data collection once the target sample size was reached.