STEM

v. 1 check, stop, halt, stanch or staunch, arrest, stay, curb, control, quell, suppress; retard, slow, lessen, diminish, reduce, cut (back (on)) The government introduced legislation to stem immigration I was able to stem the bleeding by applying the tourniquet. 2 stem the tide (of). resist, withstand, go or make headway or advance or make progress against, prevail over or against They were unable to stem the tide of public opinion