ceasefire

noun

cease·​fire ˈsēs-ˈfi(-ə)r How to pronounce ceasefire (audio)
variants or less commonly cease-fire
plural ceasefires also cease-fires
1
: a military order to cease firing
2
: a suspension of active hostilities

Synonyms

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Examples of ceasefire in a Sentence

the two armies declared a ceasefire for the holiday
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
However, the Kremlin rejected a U.S. proposal — to which Ukraine agreed last month — for a full 30-day ceasefire, and made its consent to a partial truce in the Black Sea dependent on sanctions relief. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 Thirteen days after that ceasefire ended, the village was destroyed. — Kerem Inal, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceasefire was in 1844

Rhymes for ceasefire

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Browse Nearby Words

cease and desist order
ceasefire
ceaseless
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Cite this Entry

“Ceasefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceasefire. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

cease-fire

noun
ˈsēs-ˈfī(ə)r
: a temporary stopping of warfare

More from Merriam-Webster on ceasefire

Nglish: Translation of ceasefire for Spanish Speakers

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