Definition of: cease

(sēs) v. ceased, ceas·ing v.t.
To leave off or discontinue, as one's own actions.
—v.i. To come to an end; stop; desist.
—noun End; stopping: obsolete except after without. [<F cesser <L cessare stop <cedere withdraw, yield]
—cease′less adjective
—cease′less·ly adverb
—cease′·less·ness noun Synonyms (verb): abstain, conclude, desist, discontinue, end, finish, intermit, pause, quit, refrain, stop, terminate. Strains of music may gradually or suddenly cease. A man quits work on the instant; he may discontinue a practice gradually; he quits suddenly and completely; he stops short in what he may or may not resume; he pauses in what he will probably resume. What intermits or is intermitted returns again, as a fever that intermits. Compare ABANDON, DIE, END, REST. Antonyms: begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, institute, originate, start.