halt

n.

call a halt to

halt

v.

1. To cease

   stand still, pause, rest; see stop 1.

2. To cause to cease

   pull up, check, terminate, suspend, put an end to, interrupt, intermit, break into, punctuate, block, cut short, bar someone's way, cut into, adjourn, hold off, cease fire, keep at arm's length, hold at bay, stop an advance, cause to halt, stem, balk, deter, stay, bring to a stand, bring to a standstill, stall, bring to an end, curb, stop, restrict, arrest, hold in check, foil, defeat, thwart, hamper, frustrate, suppress, clog, abate, intercept, extinguish, blockade, obstruct, repress, inhibit, hinder, barricade, impede, undermine, constrain, preclude, overthrow, vanquish, disconcert, override, dam, forbid the banns, upset, stand in the way of, baffle, discountenance, confound, debar, contravene, overturn, reduce, counteract, worst, quell, outwit, prohibit, rout, outdo, put down, quash, subdue, discomfit, finish, forbid, oppose, crush, disallow, spike one's guns*, scotch*, choke off*, nip in the bud*, lay by the heels*, shut down on*, break up*, freeze*, put on the brakes*, hang fire*, ring down on*, hold on*, steal one's thunder*, throw a wet blanket on*, throw a monkey wrench in the works*, throw a spanner in the works* (British), clip one's wings*, tie one's hands*, faze*, dash the cup from one's lips*, cut the ground from under one*, scotch the wheel*, take the wind out of one's sails*, squelch*; see also end 1, prevent, restrain 1.

   Antonyms begin*, start*, instigate.