desist

verb

Definition of desistnext
as in to cease

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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 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 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 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
  • Parrot Jungle ceased operations in Pinecrest and its birds and staff made the move to Miami with the opening of Jungle Island in 2003.
    — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
  • Nissan Stadium's weather policy states that if lightning strikes within eight miles of the stage, the venue must cease the concert and ask show-goers to shelter in place.
    — Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 18 July 2025
Definition of cease
Verb
  • Unless forced by budgetary exigencies, colleges never discontinue programs in order to redirect teaching resources to more productive uses.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • This version of the event was discontinued due to a lack of media coverage and funding issues.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Definition of discontinue
Verb
  • Shortly after Braun’s executive order, the Indiana Department of Health told local health departments to stop accepting requests to change genders on birth certificates.
    — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
  • Break it up by stopping at the St. Regis Travel Center in St. Regis, Montana, for a huckleberry milkshake.
    — Sal Vaglica, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Due to the storm damage, the city of Plainfield said that its city pools and parks are closed on Tuesday for inspection and safety assessment, while services at the Plainfield Senior Center are halted.
    — David Chiu, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • In an unsigned order on Monday, the top court temporarily lifted a lower court ruling from May that indefinitely paused the layoffs and reinstated those who were let go, while also halting President Donald Trump’s Executive Order from March which called for the department to be closed down.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 15 July 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • Once baked, finish the casserole with plenty of shredded Gruyère cheese on top.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2025
  • The updates — which are being completed by the National Park Service and funded by the Trust for the National Mall — are expected to be finished by mid-August 2025.
    — Meredith Kile, People.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of finish
Verb
  • Such contracts can be terminated with 120 days notice from the USPS - but many sites impacted by the decision have warned the closures could negatively impact the local community and their businesses.
    — Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Hogan apologized, but the WWE had already decided to terminate his contract and effectively wipe him from the sport, removing references to him from their website, pulling merchandise, and even yanking him from the WWE Hall of Fame.
    — Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2025
Definition of terminate
Verb
  • Johnson concluded that the program breached a guideline on accuracy, which deals with misleading audiences.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
  • The court concluded the precise wording of the promise did not satisfy the technical requirements of a doctrine known as promissory estoppel.
    — Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Definition of conclude

Browse Nearby Words

desirousness
desist
desisted
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Cite this Entry

“Desist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desist. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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