stop

1. verb

1)

we can't stop the decline

Syn:

put an end/stop/halt to, bring to an end/stop/halt/close/standstill, end, halt; finish, terminate, discontinue, cut short, interrupt, nip in the bud; deactivate, shut down

Ant:

start, begin, continue

2)

he stopped smoking

Syn:

cease, discontinue, desist from, break off; give up, abandon, abstain from, cut out; informal quit, leave off, knock off, pack in, lay off, give over

3)

the car stopped

Syn:

pull up, draw up, come to a stop/halt, come to rest, pull in, pull over; park

4)

the music stopped

Syn:

conclude, come to an end/stop/standstill, cease, end, finish, draw to a close, be over, terminate; pause, break off; peter out, fade away

5)

divers stopped the flow of oil

Syn:

stem, staunch, hold back, check, curb, block, dam; archaic stay

6)

the police stopped her leaving

Syn:

prevent, hinder, obstruct, impede, block, bar, preclude; dissuade from

Ant:

encourage

7)

the council stopped the housing project

Syn:

thwart, balk, foil, frustrate, stand in the way of; scotch, derail; informal put paid to, put the kibosh on, put a stop to, do for, stymie, scuttle, deep-six

Ant:

expedite

8)

just stop the bottle with your thumb

Syn:

block (up), plug, close (up), fill (up); seal, caulk, bung up; technical occlude

2. noun

1)

all business came to a stop

Syn:

halt, end, finish, close, standstill; cessation, conclusion, stoppage, discontinuation

Ant:

start, beginning, continuation

2)

a brief stop in the town

Syn:

break, stopover, stop-off, stay, visit; formal sojourn

3)

the next stop is Central Park

Syn:

stopping place, halt, station

•

- put a stop to

- stop off

- stop over