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Showing results for desist. Search instead for desiste.
Definitions

desist

[dih-sist, -zist] / dɪˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst /
VERB
stop, refrain from
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abstain cease relinquish
STRONG
abandon avoid discontinue end forbear halt pause quit resign suspend yield
WEAK
break off give over give up have done with knock off leave off not do surcease
Antonyms
STRONG
carry on complete continue finish persist restart
WEAK
endure go on keep on persevere resume

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.

Discovery, Paramount and Disney have all sent individual cease and desist letters, detailing the unauthorized reproduction of each of the studios’ copyrighted intellectual property.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Mark Joseph Stern: I think he is begging us to please cease and desist calling them “Kavanaugh stops.”

From Slate • Dec. 30, 2025

Some have issued cease and desist orders against prediction market platforms, while others, such as Massachusetts, have sued them.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

Ms Cox's lawyer sent the company a legal "cease and desist" letter, asking that it stop using the phrase, but she said the response described her as "bitter".

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025

Nothing made him desist except his own lamentable state of demoralization.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez