a time when enemies agree to stop fighting, usually while a way is found to end the fighting permanentlysynonymtrucea call for an immediate ceasefirea permanent/a temporary/an interim ceasefireObservers have reported serious violations of the ceasefire.Wordfinderpeaceagreement,armistice,ceasefire,disengage,negotiate,peace,reparations,surrender,treaty,truceCollocationsWar and peaceStarting a wardeclare/make/wage war (on somebody/something)go to war (against/with somebody)cause/spark/provoke/foment/quell unrestincite/lead/crush/suppress a revolt/rebellionlaunch/mount/carry out a surprise/terrorist attackprevent/halt/represent an escalation of the conflictbe torn apart by/be on the brink of civil warenter/invade/occupy somebody’s territorylead/launch/resist/repel an invasionMilitary operationsadopt/develop/implement/pursue a military strategycarry out/execute/perform military operations/manoeuvres/(especially US English) maneuverssend/deploy/station/pull back/withdraw troopsgo on/fly/carry out a reconnaissance/rescue missiontrain/equip/deploy army/military/combat unitslead/launch/conduct a raid/a surprise attack/an (air/airborne/amphibious) assault (on somebody)employ/use guerrilla tacticsconduct/wage biological/guerrilla warfarefight/crush/defeat the rebels/the insurgencysuffer/inflict a crushing defeatachieve/win a decisive victoryhalt/stop the British/German/Russian advanceorder/force a retreatFightingjoin/serve in the army/navy/air forcebe/go/remain/serve on active dutyserve/complete/return from a tour of dutybe sent to the front (line)attack/strike/engage/defeat/kill/destroy the enemysee/report/be engaged in heavy fightingcall for/be met with armed resistancecome under heavy/machine-gun/mortar firefire a machine-gun/mortar shells/rockets (at somebody/something)shoot a rifle/a pistol/bullets/missileslaunch/fire a cruise/ballistic/anti-tank missileuse biological/chemical/nuclear weaponsinflict/suffer/sustain heavy losses/casualtiesbe hit/killed by enemy/friendly/artillery firebecome/be held as a prisoner of warCivilians in warharm/kill/target/protect innocent/unarmed civilianscause/avoid/limit/minimize civilian casualties/collateral damageimpose/enforce/lift a curfewengage in/be a victim of ethnic cleansingbe sent to an internment/a concentration campaccept/house/resettle refugees fleeing from warfear/threaten military/violent reprisalscommit/be accused of war crimes/crimes against humanity/genocideMaking peacemake/bring/win/achieve/maintain/promote peacecall for/negotiate/broker/declare a ceasefire/a temporary trucesign a ceasefire agreementcall for/bring/put an end to hostilitiesdemand/negotiate/accept the surrender of somebody/somethingestablish/send (in) a peacekeeping forcenegotiate/conclude/ratify/sign/accept/reject/break/violate a peace treatyOxford Collocations Dictionaryadjectivecomplete,immediate,unilateral,…verb + ceasefirecall for,demand,order,…ceasefire + verbcome into effect,go into effect,hold,…ceasefire + nounagreement,deal,terms,…prepositionceasefire between,ceasefire withphrasesa violation of a ceasefireSeefull entrySee related entries:PeacekeepingExtra examplesThe UN has passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.There are concerns that the ceasefire might not hold.They agreed to a ceasefire with the Egyptian government.a ceasefire between the government and the rebels
