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

They were notified to cease and desist.

desistance

di-ˈsi-stən(t)s  -ˈzi- 

dē-

noun

Synonyms of desist

• 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

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said the activity had not been approved and sent a cease-and-desist letter to CBP as well as the contractor, Barnard Construction. — Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

The deal, which ⁠covers ByteDance’s Seedance video and ​Seedream image-generation models, follows a cease-and-desist ​letter the MPA sent in February over these tools. — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026

The Broward Democratic Party issued a cease-and-desist letter and demanded that the deception stop immediately. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026

The New York Mets joined the masses on the internet who have made fun of the Washington Commanders star quarterback for sending a cease-and-desist letter earlier this month to his alma mater, LSU, over the use of his name, image and likeness. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

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