desist

Synonym Chooser

How is the word desist distinct from other similar verbs?

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.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When would cease be a good substitute for desist?

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.

by nightfall the fighting had ceased

When is it sensible to use discontinue instead of desist?

The meanings of discontinue and desist largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When might quit be a better fit than desist?

While the synonyms quit and desist are close in meaning, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

When could stop be used to replace desist?

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.

stopped at the red light

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desist Despite receiving a cease-and-desist order, Benally continued the operation illegally, at one point tampering with a utility meter to steal electricity. Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025 The Food and Drug Administration sent out approximately 100 cease-and-desist enforcement letters, as well as thousands of warning letters to inform companies the agency is prioritizing enforcement. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025 After expanding its burgeoning sports business through a partnership with Robinhood, the two platforms received cease-and-desist letters from the New Jersey and Nevada governments, who weren’t amused by the semantic argument. Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025 By contrast, not a single one of the dozens of sweepstakes casino platforms which received over 100 cease-and-desist letters in the aggregate were willing to challenge even one of those demands in court. Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desist
Verb
  • Eventually, the extended family gatherings ceased altogether.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Eventually, though, the wins and losses cease to matter.
    Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Automakers have slowed rollouts of new products and made news by putting a stop to future offerings, such as when Ram announced in September that Ram it would discontinue development of an all-electric pickup truck, initially called the Ram 1500 REV.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Soon afterward, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration informed the university that funding for its Maine Sea Grant program, which supports coastal communities, had been discontinued.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wearing a floor-length brown double-breasted coat featuring buttons that stopped at her waist, the attire created a sultry thigh-high slit that allowed Jolie's leg to peek through.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Studies in animals and reports from people show that the side effects of this drug can continue even after someone stops taking it.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These instances included pro-Palestinian protests at the Tour de Spain, which caused the event to be temporarily halted amid protests over Israeli cyclists, and soccer games featuring Israeli teams.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Phil Rinn was among those who felt the momentum needed to continue through a general strike, halting the flow of work and consumerism until substantial changes were made.
    Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • How to Watch Italy vs Israel There’s a lot on the line as Italy hosts Israel in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, with the home team still in contention to finish first in UEFA Group I.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • There's no comic relief or light moments to take you away from the tough topics, which makes Guadagnino's piece stick with you long after the credits have finished rolling.
    Rachel Choy, Refinery29, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In May 2024, a month after the agency closed, TriShulla said SDC terminated its hardware storage services to save money but didn't respond to the company's requests to pay for its other data storage.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Employment consequences swiftly followed; for instance, Giunta was dismissed from his role as chief of staff to a New York assemblyman, and Walker was terminated from a congressional campaign.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Harrison’s nomination came after his time on General Hospital concluded in 2024.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The initial analysis, concluded on August 8, 2025, confirmed the skull was that of an adult, but could not provide further conclusive information.
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desist. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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