desist
verb
-ˈzist intransitive verb
-ˈzi- 
Synonyms
- break
- break off
- break up
- can [slang]
- cease
- cut off
- cut out
- discontinue
- drop
- end
- give over
- halt
- knock off
- lay off
- leave off
- pack (up or in)
- quit
- shut off
- stop
Example Sentences
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 7 Sep. 2022 However, in July, the FCC sent cease-and-desist letters to eight voice service providers to warn them to stop carrying this suspicious traffic. Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 20 Aug. 2022 In September 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines issued a cease-and-desist action against Forsage for operating as a fraud. Vicky Ge Huang, WSJ, 1 Aug. 2022 Stevens' lawyer, Tom Ryan of Chandler, responded on Monday affirming Stevens would not cease nor desist. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2022 Mike Feuer’s office issued cease-and-desist letters to online platforms advertising fireworks sales in Los Angeles. Felicia Alvarez, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2022 James’s office sent cease-and-desist orders to 28 ghost gun sellers earlier this month. BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 Other states—including New Jersey, which filed a cease-and-desist order against Celsius—quickly followed suit. Fortune, 16 June 2022 As part of the settlement, Schwab agreed to a cease-and-desist order from the practices, a censure, and will retain an independent consultant to review its robo-adviser disclosures, marketing and advertising. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 13 June 2022 See More Word History
Middle English desisten, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French desister, desistier, borrowed from Latin dēsistere "to leave off, cease," from dē- de- + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" — more at assist entry 1
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing desist
Kids Definition
desist
verb
desist
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- cease
- discontinue
- halt
- stop
- finish
- terminate
- conclude
- quit
- disappear
- end
- vanish
- depart
- perish
- dissolve
- evaporate
- die
- expire
- pass away
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- begin
- commence
- start
- appear
- arise
- originate
- form
- exist
- be
- break
- materialize
- spring
- engender
- live
- breathe
- actualize
- set in
- subsist
- emerge
- dawn
- arrive
- come on
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of desist are cease, discontinue, quit, and stop. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.
Although the words cease and desist have much in common, cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality.
The meanings of discontinue and desist largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.
While the synonyms quit and desist are close in meaning, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.
In some situations, the words stop and desist are roughly equivalent. However, stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.