What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abort
Example
The doctor advised her to abort the pregnancy due to health complications. [abort: verb]
Example
The company decided to abort the project due to lack of funding. [abort: verb]
cease
Example
The rain ceased just as we were about to leave. [ceased: past tense]
Example
The two countries agreed to cease hostilities and sign a peace treaty. [cease: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cease is more commonly used than abort in everyday language. Cease is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abort is less common and typically used in specific technical or medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abort and cease?
Both abort and cease can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, abort may be considered more formal due to its technical and medical associations.