discontinue

[dis-kuhn-tin-yoo]

verb (used with object)

discontinued, discontinuing 

1. to put an end to; stop; terminate.

   to discontinue nuclear testing.

   Antonyms: resume

2. to cease to take, use, subscribe to, etc..

   to discontinue a newspaper.

3. Law.,  to terminate or abandon (a suit, claim, or the like).

verb (used without object)

discontinued, discontinuing 

1. to come to an end or stop; cease; desist.

discontinue

/ ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuː /

verb

1. to come or bring to an end; interrupt or be interrupted; stop

2. (tr) law to terminate or abandon (an action, suit, etc)

Other Word Forms

• discontinuer noun
• undiscontinued adjective
• discontinuance noun
• discontinuation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discontinue¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Anglo-French discontinuer, from Medieval Latin discontinuāre. See dis- ¹, continue

Synonym Study

See interrupt.

Example Sentences

The company is also discontinuing its planned flights to Macon, Ga., which were set to begin in mid-October.

From Los Angeles Times

With the old friction gone, people can self-assemble around anything at all — zoning laws, a lost cat, the memory of a discontinued soda.

From Salon

Hooters is also discontinuing weekly bikini nights and emphasizing charitable initiatives such as “Wings for Children” and partnerships with veterans’ organizations.

From Salon

Paige had noticed there was a gap in the market after a product she loved was discontinued.

From BBC

It said it was discontinuing the promotion and would be imposing a cap on the numbers of Happy Set meals that could be bought by customers.

From BBC

Related Words

• abandon 
• break off 
• cease 
• give up 
• halt 
• interrupt 
• quit 
• suspend 
• terminate