quitting

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle and gerund of quit.

   Quitting smoking improved her health within a few weeks.

   They are quitting the league after this season.

   Note

   The -ing form doubles the final t, as sit becomes sitting. It can stand alone (she is quitting) or take an object. When the object is an activity, it is usually another -ing form (quitting smoking). When it is a place or group, it is a plain noun (quitting the league). The verb also carries an older sense of releasing someone from obligation or penalty, the meaning it shares with acquit.

2. 2
   noununcountable

   The ending of a job that the employee, rather than the employer, chooses to bring about.

   Quitting mid-project left her coworkers scrambling to cover the extra work.

   The company's high rate of quitting worried managers all year.

   Similarresignation

3. 3
   noununcountable

   The act of breaking a habit, most often smoking or some other addictive behavior.

   Quitting cold turkey worked better for him than cutting down slowly.

   She found quitting far harder than she had expected.

   Similarstopping, cessation

   Oppositerelapse

4. 4
   noununcountable

   The deliberate ending of an activity, effort, or commitment.

   Quitting was never an option for the determined climbers.

   Sometimes quitting a losing venture is the wisest choice available.

   Similarsurrender, abandonment, withdrawal, stopping

   Oppositepersistence, perseverance

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