desist

verb

Definition of desistnext
as in to cease

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 result of a cease-and-desist from Tig Notaro 28. —Vulture Staff, Vulture, 18 Feb. 2025 The official said on Friday that WhatsApp had sent Paragon a cease-and-desist letter following the hack. —Raphael Satter and James Pearson, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 Sitharm slapped the university with a cease-and-desist order from the union, claiming the implementation of new policies violated the union’s collective bargaining agreement and faculty’s constitutional protections. —Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025 House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., warned Green to desist and called for the House to come to order. —Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desist
  1. cease
  2. discontinue
  3. stop
  4. halt
  5. finish
  6. terminate
  7. conclude
Verb
  • Some ceased vaccination clinics, halted wastewater surveillance programs and even terminated a contract with the courier service that transports specimens to state labs to test for infectious diseases.
    — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The cuts do not necessarily mean a program will cease to operate.
    — Melody Schreiber, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of cease
Verb
  • While the streaming service used to offer a 7-day free trial, that has since been discontinued.
    — Maya Gandara, StyleCaster, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Existing Hotshot users have until March 30 to download their content before services are discontinued.
    — Charlie Fink, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of discontinue
Verb
  • When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.
    — Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • In Afghanistan, where over 23 million people rely on aid, the cuts will end food support for millions, halt care for malnourished children, and disrupt maternal health services.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Besides Boise, the airline’s operations in some other locations, including in Montana and Utah, will be halted to divert resources to its new base in Phoenix, the Press Democrat reported.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • The computer’s latest forecast now has Wycombe down to finish second with an average of 88.75 points across those simulations to Wrexham’s 87.13 points.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Miami rallied, finished strong, believed, and these past two play-in games have nourished that belief.
    — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of finish
Verb
  • The lawsuits allege that at least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, but the government has not confirmed that number.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The comptroller general planned to file criminal charges with the attorney general and brief the Panama Maritime Authority, which oversees the ports and has the power to terminate the contract.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of terminate
Verb
  • China's tariff rate is now in triple digit territory, and who knows what happens in 90 days when this pause concludes.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The audience peaked with around 21.1M viewers as the nail-biting game, in which the Gators trailed for a majority of the time, was concluding.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of conclude

Browse Nearby Words

desirousness
desist
desisted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Desist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desist. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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