mindmap root((停止)) stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness: ~ped the conversation. cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may imply gradualness and a degree of finality: by nightfall the fighting had ~d. quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing: the engine faltered, sputtered, then ~ altogether. discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice: we have ~d the manufacture of that item. desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing: ~ed from further efforts to persuade them.