ceasefire
gb/sˈisfˈaɪɚ/ us/sˈisfˈaɪɚ/
B2
English
tűzszünet
NOUN
B2
1
tűzszünet
B2
Usage pattern:
[side] agree to/sign/observe/break a ceasefire; a ceasefire between [side] and [side]
The government and rebel forces agreed to a ceasefire after months of fighting.
A kormány és a lázadó erők hónapokig tartó harcok után tűzszünetben állapodtak meg.
A fragile ceasefire came into effect at midnight.
Egy törékeny tűzszünet éjfélkor lépett életbe.
Aid workers entered the area while the ceasefire was still holding.
Learner examples
The two armies signed a ceasefire.
A két hadsereg tűzszüneti megállapodást írt alá.
The ceasefire lasted three days.
A tűzszünet három napig tartott.
Common mistake:
Do not use ceasefire to mean lasting peace; it is often only a temporary pause in fighting.
Meaning
Agreed stop in fighting
Collocations
agree to a ceasefire
|sign a ceasefire
|negotiate a ceasefire
|broker a ceasefire
|announce a ceasefire
|call for a ceasefire
|observe a ceasefire
|break a ceasefire
|a fragile ceasefire
|an immediate ceasefire
Synonyms
truce (often suggests a temporary informal or formal pause in fighting)
|
armistice (more formal, often referring to an official agreement to stop a war or major hostilities)
|
cessation of hostilities (more formal and legal-sounding)
|
pause in fighting (plain, descriptive, and less formal)
Antonyms
hostilities (active fighting or military conflict)
|
resumption of hostilities (the restarting of fighting after a pause)
|
offensive (an active military attack or campaign)
Themes
war
|politics
|diplomacy
|news
|conflict
Definition
an agreement that people or armies will stop fighting, often for a short time
An agreed stop in fighting between opposing sides in a war or armed conflict, usually temporary.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ceasefire
IPA
GB/sˈisfˈaɪɚ/
US/sˈisfˈaɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
cease - fire (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cease)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ceasefire
- Plural: ceasefires
Expressions
broker a ceasefire
1/bɹˈoʊkɚ ə sˈisfˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
Mediate a ceasefire agreement
to help two fighting sides agree to stop fighting
Examples
- Regional leaders tried to broker a ceasefire between the rival factions.
- The mediator hopes to broker a ceasefire before the humanitarian convoy arrives.
Learner examples
- The UN tried to broker a ceasefire.
call for a ceasefire
1/kˈɔl fɚ ə sˈisfˈaɪɚ/
phrasal verb
Publicly demand a ceasefire
to say publicly that fighting should stop
Examples
- The UN secretary-general called for an immediate ceasefire.
- Thousands of protesters gathered to call for a ceasefire and more humanitarian aid.
Learner examples
- The leaders called for a ceasefire.
- Many people are calling for a ceasefire.
ceasefire breaks down
1/sˈisfˈaɪɚ bɹˈeɪks dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
Ceasefire fails
a ceasefire fails and fighting starts again
Examples
- The ceasefire broke down after renewed shelling in the north.
- Talks continued, but officials warned that the ceasefire could break down at any time.
Learner examples
- The ceasefire broke down on Friday.
ceasefire line
1/sˈisfˈaɪɚ lˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
Boundary separating opposing forces
a line between opposing forces after they agree to stop fighting
Examples
- UN observers patrolled the ceasefire line.
- Families on both sides of the ceasefire line have limited contact.
Learner examples
- The village is near the ceasefire line.
ceasefire talks
1/sˈisfˈaɪɚ tˈɔks/
fixed phrase
Negotiations about a ceasefire
talks about agreeing to stop fighting
Examples
- Ceasefire talks resumed in Cairo on Monday.
- The government sent a delegation to the ceasefire talks.
Learner examples
- Ceasefire talks will start tomorrow.
ceasefire violation
1/sˈisfˈaɪɚ vaɪəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Breach of a ceasefire
when one side attacks or breaks the rules after agreeing to stop fighting
Examples
- Monitors reported several ceasefire violations along the border overnight.
- Each side accused the other of a ceasefire violation after the attack.
Learner examples
- The shooting was a ceasefire violation.
humanitarian ceasefire
1/hjˌumˌænətˈɛɹiən sˈisfˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
Ceasefire for civilian aid
a pause in fighting so civilians can receive help or leave safely
Examples
- Aid agencies urged both sides to accept a humanitarian ceasefire so medicine could reach hospitals.
- A 48-hour humanitarian ceasefire allowed thousands of civilians to leave the area.
Learner examples
- The groups agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire.
the ceasefire holds
1/ðə sˈisfˈaɪɚ hˈoʊldz/
fixed phrase
Ceasefire continues successfully
the fighting does not start again after a ceasefire begins
Examples
- The ceasefire held through the night despite reports of sporadic gunfire.
- Officials said the ceasefire was holding in most parts of the country.
Learner examples
- The ceasefire held for one week.