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 The orders come roughly a week after Bailey issued a notice of intent to file a cease-and-desist order against the Planned Parenthood clinics for allegedly violating Missouri state law. Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025 Forbes sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity in June, accusing it of infringing copyright. Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 Usually, cease-and-desist letters were sufficient. Bernard Leca, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025 In other developments, state police officers Sunday night served cease-and-desist orders on strikers at their homes, Miller said. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desist
Verb
  • At the end of 2024, SHR ceased operations, paving the way for the rise of the Haas Factory Team.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In turn, matchups between strong Group of 5 teams and hefty pocketbooks will cease to exist.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Those that are eligible typically involve medical judgment, surprise medical bills, or an insurer deciding to retroactively cancel or discontinue coverage or determining that a treatment was experimental.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In May, for instance, the Department of Education discontinued Biden-era grants worth $1 billion aimed at improving mental health services in schools, saying the programs were not advancing administration priorities.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Fall weather isn't stopping the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as its crews are set to begin a number of construction work across the state.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Good Fortune follows Reeves as an angel, Gabriel, tasked by his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), with stopping humans from dying while texting and driving.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Thanks to Chouinard’s financial backing, the development was halted, the river was protected, and the surf break was preserved.
    David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Under orders from General Erinmore (Colin Firth), the pair must traverse enemy lines to deliver a life-or-death message to Colonel Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch), halting an attack that would endanger more than 1,000 men.
    Emy LaCroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When Calgary finished a disappointing fifth in the Pacific Division in 2023-24 and missed the playoffs by 17 points, that set the stage for Markstrom’s trade to the New Jersey Devils and opened the door for Wolf.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Hubbard finished the game with 16 carries for 57 yards.
    DIAMOND VENCES, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rolfo’s contract was due to expire next year but her contract was terminated early amid Barcelona’s financial struggles, leaving her a free agent.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The legislation would terminate the current attorney general’s term on the day the bill is signed into law, and his successor would not need Senate confirmation.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When isolated statistics are presented without context in the media, there is every reason to conclude that data does not offer anything valuable to the conversation.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The letter concludes with a call for parents to engage with their children about appropriate conduct.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Desist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desist. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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