desist
verb
de·sist di-ˈsist 
-ˈzist
-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-
noun -ˈzi- dē-
Synonyms
- break
- break off
- break up
- can [slang]
- cease
- cut off
- cut out
- discontinue
- drop
- end
- give over
- halt
- knock off
- lay off
- leave off
- pack (up or in)
- quit
- shut off
- stop
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Despite orders from the police, the protesters would not desist.
Recent Examples on the Web On Wednesday morning, Fair Razo said, the department returned and issued a cease-and-desist order to protect the public. 
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 7 Sep. 2022 However, in July, the FCC sent cease-and-desist letters to eight voice service providers to warn them to stop carrying this suspicious traffic. Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 20 Aug. 2022 In September 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines issued a cease-and-desist action against Forsage for operating as a fraud. Vicky Ge Huang, WSJ, 1 Aug. 2022 Stevens' lawyer, Tom Ryan of Chandler, responded on Monday affirming Stevens would not cease nor desist. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2022 Mike Feuer’s office issued cease-and-desist letters to online platforms advertising fireworks sales in Los Angeles. Felicia Alvarez, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2022 James’s office sent cease-and-desist orders to 28 ghost gun sellers earlier this month. BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 Other states—including New Jersey, which filed a cease-and-desist order against Celsius—quickly followed suit. Fortune, 16 June 2022 As part of the settlement, Schwab agreed to a cease-and-desist order from the practices, a censure, and will retain an independent consultant to review its robo-adviser disclosures, marketing and advertising. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 13 June 2022 See More
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 7 Sep. 2022 However, in July, the FCC sent cease-and-desist letters to eight voice service providers to warn them to stop carrying this suspicious traffic. Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 20 Aug. 2022 In September 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines issued a cease-and-desist action against Forsage for operating as a fraud. Vicky Ge Huang, WSJ, 1 Aug. 2022 Stevens' lawyer, Tom Ryan of Chandler, responded on Monday affirming Stevens would not cease nor desist. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2022 Mike Feuer’s office issued cease-and-desist letters to online platforms advertising fireworks sales in Los Angeles. Felicia Alvarez, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2022 James’s office sent cease-and-desist orders to 28 ghost gun sellers earlier this month. BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 Other states—including New Jersey, which filed a cease-and-desist order against Celsius—quickly followed suit. Fortune, 16 June 2022 As part of the settlement, Schwab agreed to a cease-and-desist order from the practices, a censure, and will retain an independent consultant to review its robo-adviser disclosures, marketing and advertising. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 13 June 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
desist
verb
de·sist di-ˈzist
-ˈsist
desisted; desisting
: to stop doing something
Please desist from making that noise.
desists
verb
as in ceases
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ceases
- discontinues
- terminates
- finishes
- stops
- halts
- ends
- concludes
- quits
- disappears
- vanishes
- evaporates
- dissolves
- departs
- dies
- perishes
- expires
- passes away
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- begins
- starts
- commences
- appears
- arises
- forms
- originates
- engenders
- springs
- breaks
- exists
- is
- materializes
- actualizes
- breathes
- dawns
- subsists
- lives
- emerges
- arrives
- sets in
- comes on
- Terre Haute
- terre verte
- terre à terre
- terre, cape
- Terrebonne
- terreens
- Terrell grass
- terrella
- terrellas
- terrene
- terrenely
- terrener
- terrenes
- terrenest
- terreplein
- terrepleins
- terrestrial
- terrestrial deposit
- terrestrial equator
- terrestrial glory
- terrestrial latitude
- terrestrial longitude
- terrestrial magnetism
- terrestrial meridian
- terrestrial planet