Armistice
What it means
A formal agreement to stop fighting, usually as a step toward peace.
Reach for it when distinguishing a negotiated halt in conflict from a final settlement
The armistice gave both communities time to begin negotiations.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal |
|
-
everyday
Fits when opponents agree to pause conflict in familiar language
Careful A truce can be informal and may cover only a brief period.
-
professional
ceasefire
Fits when fighting stops under agreed terms
Careful A ceasefire may be local or temporary and can be less formal than an armistice.
-
professional
peace agreement
Fits when a settlement resolves the conflict rather than only pausing it
Careful Calling an armistice peace overstates what has been achieved.
-
professional
stand-down
Fits when forces are ordered to stop active operations
Careful A stand-down can be unilateral and does not establish mutual agreement.
-
formal
cessation
Fits when the fact that hostilities stop is the exact point
Careful Cessation can happen without any agreement between the parties.
-
formal
suspension of hostilities
Fits when precise diplomatic wording needs no suggestion of final peace
Careful The phrase is cumbersome outside official or historical writing.
Opposites 3
- hostilities
- warfare
- escalation
Common phrases 3
-
sign an armistice
The delegations met at dawn to sign an armistice.
-
armistice agreement
The armistice agreement established a monitored boundary.
-
temporary armistice
A temporary armistice allowed civilians to leave safely.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Commander Keane, Australian accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated