To Stop synonyms

Question 1

Halt - verb [ I or T ]
/hɑːlt/

Answer 1

Often used to imply a sudden or immediate stop, especially in a formal or commanding context.

to (cause to) stop moving or doing something or happening:
- Production has halted at all of the company’s factories because of the pay dispute.
- Security forces halted the demonstrators by blocking the road.

*Use “halt” in situations where you want to describe a stop or cessation of movement or activity, either as a command or as a statement of fact. *
- “The production line halted due to a power outage.

Use “came to a halt” when you want to describe a situation where something or someone has stopped, especially if the stop is the result of a gradual decrease in movement or activity. It’s useful for describing the end point of an action.
- The car slowly came to a halt at the red light.

Use “grind to a halt” to emphasize a slow, gradual stop, often due to increasing difficulty, resistance, or inefficiency. This phrase is often used metaphorically to describe situations where things slow down and eventually stop, typically in a problematic or challenging context.
- Traffic gradually ground to a halt during the heavy snowfall.

Each of these uses provides a different nuance to the idea of stopping, with “halt” being more general, “came to a halt” focusing on the endpoint of an action, and “grind to a halt” emphasizing a slow, difficult stop.

Question 2

Cease - verb [ I or T ] formal
/siːs/

Answer 2

to stop something:

This term is often used in a more formal or official context. It typically refers to bringing something to an end permanently or for an indefinite period. For example, it’s commonly used in legal and diplomatic contexts, such as “ceasefire” in military situations or “cease operations” in business contexts.

-The company was ordered to cease all operations.
- [ + to infinitive ] Workplace nurseries will cease to be liable for tax.