discontinue

verb

dis·​con·​tin·​ue ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce discontinue (audio)
discontinued; discontinuing; discontinues

transitive verb

1
: to break the continuity of : cease to operate, administer, use, produce, or take
2
: to abandon or terminate by a legal discontinuance

intransitive verb

: to come to an end
discontinuation noun
Choose the Right Synonym for discontinue

stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend activity.

stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality.

by nightfall the fighting had ceased

quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Examples of discontinue in a Sentence

He discontinued his visits to the psychiatrist. She chose to discontinue her studies. The company has announced that the current model will be discontinued next year. They are planning to discontinue bus service between the two towns.
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.
Beyond Meat continues to focus on cost-reduction initiatives and reviewing its global operations, which may include scaling back or discontinuing some operations in China. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024 There may have also been confusion around management’s theoretical comments about discontinuing the use of Simul-frac, which has unlocked a lot of capital efficiencies. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024 Since releasing a Netflix comedy special and discontinuing his series Bupkis in early 2024, the actor-comedian has largely kept a low profile, with Davidson reportedly checking himself into a wellness facility for mental health treatment this past summer. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024 Brown-Forman acquired the brand in 1936 from Selected Kentucky Distillers and, by 1940, converted it to a blended whiskey until it was discontinued in 1968. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for discontinue 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French discontinuer, from Medieval Latin discontinuare, from Latin dis- + continuare to continue

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discontinue was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near discontinue

Cite this Entry

“Discontinue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discontinue. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

discontinue

verb
dis·​con·​tin·​ue ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yü How to pronounce discontinue (audio)
1
: to cease to operate, use, produce, or take
will discontinue that product
2
: to bring or come to an end : stop
discontinued broadcast of my favorite show
discontinuance
-ˈtin-yə-wən(t)s
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on discontinue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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