desist

verb

de·​sist di-ˈsist  -ˈzist 

dē-

desisted; desisting; desists

intransitive verb

: to cease to proceed or act

a court order to desist from selling the product

desistance

di-ˈsi-stən(t)s  -ˈzi- 

dē-

noun

Synonyms

• stop
• cease
• end
• halt
• quit
• lay off
• cut off

Choose the Right Synonym for desist

stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend activity.

stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality.

by nightfall the fighting had ceased

quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Examples of desist in a Sentence

Despite orders from the police, the protesters would not desist.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rutgers previously reported the fraternity had been issued a cease-and-desist order and placed on disciplinary probation in connection with the incident. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

The New York Knicks sent a cease-and-desist letter to Zohran Mamdani after the New York City mayoral candidate used a logo similar to the team’s for a campaign ad, Fox News Digital confirmed. —Ryan Morik , Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Cannot the judge issue a cease-and-desist order? —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025

Disney also sent a cease-and-desist letter to AI startup Character. —Jaures Yip, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing desist

• cease and desist
• cease and desist order

Rhymes for desist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids Definition

desist

verb

de·​sist di-ˈsist  -ˈzist 

: to stop something one is doing