cease and desist

phrase

formal
: to stop (doing something) immediately
The company was ordered by the court to cease and desist from selling the photographs.

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cease
cease and desist
cease and desist order
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Cite this Entry

“Cease and desist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cease%20and%20desist. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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