cease-fire
C1Formal, Military, Diplomatic, Journalism
Definition
Meaning
A temporary or permanent agreement by opposing sides in a conflict to stop fighting.
Any mutually agreed-upon halt or pause in hostilities or contentious activity; can be applied metaphorically to conflicts beyond warfare, such as in politics or personal disputes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a formal, often negotiated, suspension of armed conflict. Implies a degree of mutual agreement. Can be used as a noun ('a cease-fire') or attributively ('cease-fire agreement').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English more commonly uses the hyphenated form 'cease-fire' as the noun, while American English shows slightly more variation, accepting both 'ceasefire' (one word) and 'cease-fire'. The spelling 'truce' is equally common in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries formal, official connotations. In UK media, it may be specifically associated with UN-mediated conflicts.
Frequency
High frequency in news contexts during times of conflict; low frequency in everyday conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] declared a cease-fire.[Subject] called for a cease-fire.[Subject] violated the cease-fire.A cease-fire between [Parties] was agreed.The cease-fire held/broke down.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The cease-fire is hanging by a thread.”
- “A paper cease-fire (one that exists only in theory).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The two CEOs agreed to a cease-fire in their price war.'
Academic
Common in political science, international relations, and history texts analysing conflicts.
Everyday
Used when discussing news about wars or major conflicts.
Technical
Standard term in military, diplomatic, and humanitarian law documents.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The general ordered his troops to cease fire immediately.
American English
- The commander commanded his forces to cease fire at dawn.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as 'cease-fire' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as 'ceasefire' is not used as an adverb.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The news said there is a cease-fire.
- The two armies agreed to a 24-hour cease-fire to allow aid through.
- Despite the declared cease-fire, sporadic clashes continued along the border.
- The UN envoy struggled to broker a lasting cease-fire, as both sides accused each other of repeated violations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine soldiers CEASing to FIRE their weapons.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS FIRE (cease-fire, flare-up, ignite tensions, extinguish the rebellion).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'stop-fire'. The standard Russian equivalent is 'прекращение огня' or more formally 'перемирие' (truce).
- Do not confuse with 'мир' (peace), which is a broader, more permanent state.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ceasefire' as a verb (e.g., 'They decided to ceasefire' – incorrect; use 'to implement a ceasefire' or 'to cease fire').
- Confusing 'cease-fire' with 'peace treaty' (the latter is final and legal).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate synonym for 'cease-fire'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often used interchangeably, but a 'truce' can be more informal and broader, sometimes implying a longer pause. A 'cease-fire' is specifically focused on stopping active firing/military engagement.
No. The correct verbal phrase is 'to cease fire' (two words). 'Ceasefire' is a noun or an adjective.
Both are correct. 'Cease-fire' (hyphenated) is traditionally more common in British English, while 'ceasefire' (solid) is gaining acceptance, especially in American English.
A cease-fire is often a precursor to peace negotiations, the withdrawal of forces, or the delivery of humanitarian aid. It does not necessarily mean the conflict is permanently resolved.