Ceasefire
noun
Definition
1. An agreement or order to stop fighting in a war or armed conflict, usually temporary, to allow peace negotiations or humanitarian aid.
2. Also used figuratively to describe a truce or pause in any kind of argument, dispute, or hostile situation.
2. Also used figuratively to describe a truce or pause in any kind of argument, dispute, or hostile situation.
Context Alive
After weeks of devastating bombardment, both sides finally agreed to a ceasefire that would allow aid workers to deliver food and medicine to trapped civilians. The streets fell silent for the first time in months. Nobody knew how long the peace would last, but for now, the guns had stopped.
Meanings
2 meanings
1
An Agreement to Stop Fighting in a Conflict (Noun)
Very Common
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This meaning is about an official or unofficial agreement between opposing sides in a war or armed conflict to stop fighting, usually temporarily. Imagine two countries that have been at war for years, and after months of secret negotiations, they announce a ceasefire that will begin at midnight, allowing both sides to pull back their troops. This is a ceasefire — a pause in the violence that opens the door for talks or aid delivery. You might hear “the UN called for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians” or “the ceasefire broke down after just three days when fighting resumed near the border.” Or picture a conflict zone where a ceasefire allows families to finally leave their shelters and search for food after weeks trapped indoors. The word suggests hope but also fragility — a ceasefire can bring relief, but it doesn’t guarantee lasting peace. ✏️ A ceasefire is not the same as a peace deal — it’s a pause in fighting, not an end to the conflict. Ceasefires can be temporary, permanent, unilateral (one side), or bilateral (both sides). They often break down, which is why you’ll frequently hear “the ceasefire collapsed” or “violations of the ceasefire.”
Vivid ExampleThe announcement of a ceasefire brought people onto the streets for the first time in months, some crying with relief, others too exhausted to celebrate. Aid trucks began crossing the border within hours, carrying supplies that thousands of families desperately needed. Everyone hoped it would hold, but after so many broken promises, nobody dared to believe it completely.
2
A Truce or Pause in a Dispute (Noun — Figurative)
Common
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This meaning is about a pause or truce in any kind of non-military conflict — an argument, rivalry, legal battle, or hostile situation between people or groups. Imagine two business partners who have been fighting bitterly over the company’s direction, and they finally agree to a ceasefire so they can sit down and work things out calmly. This is ceasefire used figuratively — borrowing the military image to describe stopping hostilities in everyday life. You might say “can we call a ceasefire and just have a normal family dinner for once?” or “the two rival companies agreed to a ceasefire and stopped attacking each other in the press.” Or picture siblings who have been arguing all day, and their exhausted mother demands an immediate ceasefire so she can have five minutes of peace. The word suggests temporary relief from tension — a deliberate decision to stop fighting, even if the underlying problem isn’t solved yet. ✏️ The figurative use is common in everyday English and always carries a slightly humorous or dramatic tone — borrowing military language for personal conflicts. “Call a ceasefire” is the most natural phrase in informal contexts.
Vivid ExampleAfter three weeks of bitter emails and angry meetings, the two departments finally agreed to a ceasefire and promised to stop blaming each other for the project’s failure. The director brought everyone into the same room and made them shake hands. It was awkward and forced, but at least the office stopped feeling like a warzone.
Examples from the Street
“Both sides agreed to a ceasefire after the UN threatened sanctions, but nobody expects it to last more than a few weeks.”
A temporary agreement to stop fighting was reached under pressure, but people doubt it will hold
“Can we please call a ceasefire on this argument? I’m exhausted and we’re going round in circles.”
Can we agree to stop fighting about this for now, because we’re getting nowhere and it’s draining
“The ceasefire collapsed within hours when shells were fired across the border again.”
The agreement to stop fighting failed very quickly when one side attacked again
Common Patterns
agree to / reach a ceasefire → to come to an agreement to stop fighting
call for a ceasefire → to demand publicly that fighting should stop
declare a ceasefire → to officially announce that fighting will stop
a ceasefire agreement → a formal document or deal to stop hostilities
the ceasefire broke down / collapsed → the agreement failed and fighting resumed
violate / break the ceasefire → to start fighting again despite the agreement
hold / maintain a ceasefire → to keep the agreement in place successfully
call a ceasefire → to suggest stopping an argument or hostile situation
an uneasy ceasefire → a fragile pause where tension is still high
a temporary ceasefire → a short-term pause, not a permanent resolution
Collocations
4 collocationsdeclare a ceasefire
officially announce a stop to fighting
ceasefire agreement
a formal deal to stop hostilities
violate the ceasefire
break the agreement to stop fighting
temporary ceasefire
a short-term pause in conflict
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
The UN Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach the affected areas
BM Güvenlik Konseyi, insani yardımın etkilenen bölgelere ulaşması için derhal ateşkes ilan edilmesini talep etti.
2
After months of fighting, both sides finally agreed to a ceasefire that would take effect at midnight
Aylarca süren çatışmaların ardından her iki taraf da gece yarısı yürürlüğe girecek bir ateşkeste anlaştı.
3
The fragile ceasefire collapsed after just forty-eight hours when rockets were fired at a residential neighbourhood
Kırılgan ateşkes, bir yerleşim bölgesine roket atılmasının ardından yalnızca kırk sekiz saat sonra çöktü.
4
Can we just call a ceasefire on the kitchen debate and agree that we’ll take turns cooking from now on?
Mutfak tartışmasında ateşkes ilan edip bundan sonra sırayla yemek yapma konusunda anlaşabilir miyiz?
5
International observers were sent in to monitor the ceasefire and report any violations immediately
Ateşkesi izlemek ve herhangi bir ihlali derhal bildirmek üzere uluslararası gözlemciler gönderildi.
6
There’s been an uneasy ceasefire between the two neighbours ever since the argument about the fence last summer
Geçen yazki çit tartışmasından bu yana iki komşu arasında gergin bir ateşkes var.
7
The rebel group refused to honour the ceasefire and continued attacking government positions throughout the night
İsyancı grup ateşkese uymayı reddetti ve gece boyunca hükümet mevzilerine saldırmaya devam etti.
8
Both political parties agreed to a ceasefire during the national crisis, putting aside their differences temporarily
Her iki siyasi parti de ulusal kriz sırasında farklılıklarını geçici olarak bir kenara bırakarak ateşkes ilan etti.
9
Aid agencies said the ceasefire must hold for at least two weeks if supplies are to reach the most remote villages
Yardım kuruluşları, malzemelerin en uzak köylere ulaşabilmesi için ateşkesin en az iki hafta sürmesi gerektiğini söyledi.
10
My sister and I have finally reached a ceasefire about who gets to use the car at weekends — we take alternate Saturdays
Kız kardeşimle hafta sonları arabayı kimin kullanacağı konusunda sonunda anlaştık — sırayla Cumartesi günlerini paylaşıyoruz.
Learner Examples
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The teacher called a ceasefire between the two students who had been arguing all lesson and told them to sort it out calmly after class
Öğretmen, ders boyunca tartışan iki öğrenci arasında ateşkes ilan etti ve sorunu dersten sonra sakin bir şekilde çözmelerini söyledi.
★
After weeks of debate about the class project, the group finally reached a ceasefire and agreed to combine their ideas into one presentation
Sınıf projesi hakkında haftalarca süren tartışmaların ardından grup sonunda anlaştı ve fikirlerini tek bir sunumda birleştirmeye karar verdi.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
1 items Idioms & Expressionscall a ceasefire — agree to stop fighting
Both sides agreed to call a ceasefire immediately.
Synonyms & Antonyms
7 items
Synonymstruce
a temporary stop to fighting
armistice
a formal end to hostilities
peace agreement
a deal to stop conflict
halt
stopping military action
Antonymswar
active fighting
offensive
launching an attack
escalation
increasing the conflict