discontinue
gb/dɪskəntˈɪnju/ us/dɪskəntˈɪnju/
B2
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
B2
action
1
stop making or offering something
To stop making, selling, or giving a product or service, usually for good.
Usage pattern:
to discontinue [a product/service/feature]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"discontinue to sell"* instead of *"discontinue selling"* or *"discontinue a product"*. Use a noun object ("discontinue the product") or a gerund ("discontinue selling it"), not an infinitive.
Synonyms
stop (A more general, everyday verb; less formal and less likely to imply permanent removal of a product or service.)
Antonyms
launch (Refers to starting to offer a product or service, the opposite of ending it.)
Collocations
discontinue a product
|discontinue a service
|discontinue a line
|discontinue support
|discontinue production
|discontinue a feature
Themes
business
|commerce
|technology
Examples
- The company decided to discontinue the model due to low sales.
- Several streaming platforms have discontinued their basic ad‑free plan.
- Support for the old operating system will be discontinued next year.
- The store has discontinued this brand of cereal, so we need to choose another.
- After the recall, the manufacturer permanently discontinued the entire product line.
Learner examples
- The company will discontinue this phone next month.
- Our local shop discontinued that drink last year.
- They discontinued the old service and started a new one.
- The software maker plans to discontinue support for Windows 8.
- The airline discontinued its flights on that route.
Verb
formal
B2
action
2
stop doing or using something
To stop doing or using something that you were doing or using before.
Usage pattern:
to discontinue [a practice/plan/use/treatment]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "discontinue" with "cancel". "Discontinue" is usually used for things that go on over time, like treatment, use of a product, or a regular practice. "Cancel" is more common for single events, bookings, or contracts. Also avoid saying *"discontinue to use"*; say *"discontinue use"* or *"discontinue using it"*.
Synonyms
cease (Slightly more formal and literary; often used in instructions or official notices, similar in tone to "discontinue".)
Antonyms
continue (Means to keep doing or using something, the direct opposite of stopping it.)
Collocations
discontinue treatment
|discontinue use
|discontinue therapy
|discontinue medication
|discontinue a practice
Themes
daily life
|medicine
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Patients should not discontinue treatment without consulting their doctor.
- The school decided to discontinue the practice of giving homework over holidays.
- We recommend that you discontinue use immediately if any rash appears.
- Due to side effects, she discontinued the medication after two weeks.
- The city plans to discontinue the pilot program if participation remains low.
Learner examples
- Do not discontinue the medicine without talking to your doctor.
- He discontinued use of the cream when his skin felt hot.
- They discontinued their weekly meetings because people were too busy.
- The company discontinued the practice after many workers complained.
- If you feel dizzy, discontinue use at once.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
formally stop a legal action
To officially stop a legal case or other formal process before it finishes.
Usage pattern:
to discontinue [a case/proceeding/investigation]
Common mistake:
This sense is mainly used in legal or official language. Learners sometimes use it in everyday speech where "stop" or "end" would sound more natural, for example saying *"We discontinued our talk"* instead of *"We stopped our talk"*.
Synonyms
drop (More informal; commonly used about legal cases being ended, while "discontinue" is the formal legal term.)
Antonyms
pursue (To continue with a case or action instead of stopping it.)
Collocations
discontinue a case
|discontinue proceedings
|discontinue an investigation
|discontinue prosecution
Themes
law
|government
Examples
- The prosecutor decided to discontinue the case due to lack of evidence.
- The court ordered that the proceedings be discontinued immediately.
- Police announced they would discontinue the investigation after the suspect was cleared.
- Civil proceedings were discontinued once the parties reached a settlement.
- The regulator has no power to discontinue the inquiry at this stage.
Learner examples
- The judge discontinued the case because the main witness did not come.
- The police discontinued the investigation after they found no proof.
- Lawyers asked the court to discontinue the proceedings.
- The company paid money, and the government discontinued the case.
- The trial was discontinued when new facts appeared.
Grammar
Dictionary form
discontinue
IPA
GB/dɪskəntˈɪnju/
US/dɪskəntˈɪnju/
Syllables & stress
dis - con - tin - ue (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tin)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: discontinue
- 3rd Person Singular: discontinues
- Present Participle: discontinuing
- Past: discontinued
Word family
Forms
discontinues
verb
discontinuing
verb
discontinued
verb
Core family
discontinuation
noun
Related words
continue
verb A2
continuation
noun B2
continuous
adjective B1
continuously
adverb B2
continuity
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
discontinuous
adjective
discontinuity
noun
Advanced or less common
discontinuance
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.