Meaning & use
ceasefire
Last updated
UK/ˈsiːsfaɪə/
US/ˈsiːsfaɪər/
Meaning
nouncountable
An agreement between opposing forces to stop fighting, usually for a limited time.
Grammar: Countable: you can say a ceasefire, the ceasefire, or ceasefires.
Patterns
- a ceasefire between something
- agree to a ceasefire
- declare a ceasefire
- break a ceasefire
Both sides agreed to a ceasefire after weeks of heavy fighting.
The ceasefire between the two armies lasted only three days.
International observers are monitoring the fragile ceasefire.
Word forms
| plural | ceasefires |
|---|
Common combinations
- agree to a ceasefire
- The two governments finally agreed to a ceasefire.
- declare a ceasefire
- The rebels declared a ceasefire at midnight.
- break a ceasefire
- Both sides accused each other of breaking the ceasefire.
- a fragile ceasefire
- The fragile ceasefire is holding for now.
- broker a ceasefire
- The UN helped broker a ceasefire between the rival groups.
Synonyms and how they differ
- truce
- A truce is similar but often suggests a shorter, less formal pause in fighting.
- armistice
- An armistice is a formal agreement to end fighting, usually leading to a peace treaty; a ceasefire can be temporary.
- peace
- Peace means no war at all, while a ceasefire only stops the fighting for a period.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
The two sides agreed to a ______ to allow civilians to leave the city.
Choose one answer.
A ceasefire is the noun for an agreement to stop fighting. 'Ceaseless' is an adjective, 'cease' is a verb, and 'seize' means to take hold of something.
Make it your own
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