Definitions

desistance

[dih-sis-tuhns, -zis-] / dɪˈsɪs təns, -ˈzɪs- /

NOUN

cessation

Synonyms

STRONG

abeyance arrest break breakoff breather cease close conclusion cutoff discontinuance downtime end finish freeze halt hiatus intermission interruption interval layoff pause recess remission respite rest standstill stay stop stoppage suspension termination time-out

WEAK

ceasing grinding halt halting letup screaming halt time off

Antonyms

STRONG

action activity advance beginning commencement continuation continuity go initiation introduction opening persistence start

NOUN

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conclusion

STRONG

adjournment cease cessation completion culmination denouement end finale finish period stop termination wind-up

Antonyms

STRONG

beginning commencement initiation opening start

NOUN

closure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

closing stoppage termination

STRONG

cease cessation close end ending finish stop

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beginning start

STRONG

commencement introduction opening

NOUN

conclusion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

closure completion consequence denouement development ending outcome result

STRONG

cease cessation close culmination eventuality finale finish issue payoff period stop termination upshot wind-up wrap

WEAK

end of the line

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beginning cause commencement introduction opening origin source start

STRONG

initiation

WEAK

concept preface prelude theory

NOUN

discontinuance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break

STRONG

adjournment alternation cease cessation close closing desuetude discontinuation disjunction disruption ending finish intermission interruption separation stopping termination

WEAK

breakoff

Antonyms

STRONG

beginning commencement initiation introduction opening start

WEAK

continuation restarting retry

NOUN

end

Synonyms

STRONGEST

closure conclusion finish issue outcome resolution result retirement

STRONG

accomplishment achievement adjournment attainment cease cessation close closing consequence consummation culmination curtain denouement desuetude determination discontinuance execution expiration expiry finale finis fulfillment omega payoff perfection realization target termination terminus upshot wind-up

WEAK

bottom line last word sign-off wrap-up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beginning commencement introduction origin source start

STRONG

frustration

WEAK

birth creation foundation

NOUN

ending

Synonyms

STRONGEST

closure completion denouement finale outcome period resolution

STRONG

catastrophe cessation close closing consummation culmination dissolution epilogue expiration finish lapse omega stop summation termination terminus upshot wane wind-up

WEAK

break breakoff coup de grace swan song

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beginning opening start

STRONG

commencement initiation introduction success

NOUN

finish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accomplishment defeat ending finale

STRONG

achievement acquirement acquisition annihilation attainment cease cessation close closing culmination curtain curtains death denouement end finis last ruin stop termination terminus wrap

WEAK

end of the line end of the road last stage wind-up winding-up wrap-up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beginning opening start

STRONG

birth commencement creation failure forfeit

WEAK

initiation introduction

NOUN

stop

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bar block break conclusion pause

STRONG

barricade blockade cease cessation check close closing control cutoff discontinuation ending fence finish freeze hindrance layoff letup lull plug roadblock standstill stay stoppage termination wall

WEAK

blank wall breakoff brick wall grinding halt screeching halt

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continuation

STRONG

advance aid assistance beginning commencement go help initiation introduction opening start

NOUN

stopping point

Synonyms

WEAK

accomplishment achievement adjournment attainment bottom line cease cessation close closing closure completion conclusion consequence consummation culmination curtain denouement desuetude determination discontinuance end of the line ending execution expiration expiry finale finis finish fulfillment issue last word omega outcome payoff perfection period realization resolution result retirement sign-off stop target termination terminus upshot wind-up wrap-up

NOUN

termination

Synonyms

STRONGEST

completion expiry

STRONG

abortion ballgame cease cessation close conclusion consequence curtains discontinuation effect ending finale finis finish issue landing outcome payoff period result stop terminus

WEAK

breakoff cutoff end of the line kiss-off wrap-up

Antonyms

STRONG

beginning cause commencement continuation introduction opening origin source start

WEAK

initiation

NOUN

terminus

Synonyms

STRONG

accomplishment achievement adjournment attainment cease cessation close closing closure completion conclusion consequence consummation culmination curtain denouement desuetude determination discontinuance ending execution expiration expiry finale finis finish fulfillment issue omega outcome payoff perfection period realization resolution result retirement stop target termination upshot

WEAK

bottom line end of the line last word sign-off stopping point wind-up wrap-up

Antonyms

STRONG

beginning cause commencement continuation defeat failure forfeit frustration imperfection inception initiation introduction neglect opening origin source start unfulfillment worthlessness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rather, they use the threat of certain but nonsevere punishments to encourage people to find their own paths to desistance.

From Washington Post • Dec. 2, 2021

In three of the studies, participants who didn’t follow up with the researchers in adolescence or adulthood were assumed to be desistant, again inaccurately raising the desistance percentage.

From The Verge • Jul. 30, 2021

The idea that many trans kids will grow out of it is referred to in research as desistance.

From The Verge • Jul. 30, 2021

It’s a metric inconsistent with what we know about the rocky reality of desistance.

From Washington Post • May 16, 2019

A year of existence Has passed to the distance Ne'er to return: To the right was resistance, From duty desistance, Nor would I learn.

From Verses of Feeling and Fancy by MacKeracher, Wm. M.

desistance

Example Sentences

Related Words