DISCONTINUE Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

discontinue

verb

ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü

Definition of discontinue next

as in to cease

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the editors were told to discontinue the printing of rumors in the student paper immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abandon

to stop doing (something) permanently we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stop

to come to an end publication of the magazine will discontinue at the end of the year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 Consumers should immediately discontinue use of the gloves and reach out to QVC for a refund by calling 888-770-7119 or emailing ovengloves@realtimeresults.net between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 Sales failed to improve over two years, and Alphabet discontinued the product. —

Itamar Zur, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 Always talk to a healthcare provider before discontinuing any medication. —

Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2024 In August, Denver residents were told in an email that access between the two X buildings was being discontinued. —

Matthew Geiger, The Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for discontinue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinue

Verb

The technical psychiatry and neurobiology of later times necessarily lacked Valéry’s poetry, and the poets themselves could never make good on his scientism without ceasing to write poetry.

Benjamin Kunkel, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Last week, a panel of three judges upheld the law's constitutionality, leaving TikTok and ByteDance warning that the app could cease operations in the U.S. as soon as Jan. 19, 2025, if the decision stands.

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024