DESIST Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

desist

verb

Definition of desist next

as in to cease

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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 school district has not yet responded to the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty’s letter seeking clarification on the legal basis for its cease-and-desist demand, Brewer said. —

Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 21 Jan. 2026 According to Copeland, this isn’t the first time the estate has sent him a cease-and-desist. —

Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026 The California Coastal Commission has issued multiple cease-and-desist orders to Sable Offshore for allegedly conducting unlawful repair work. —

Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026 Washington regulators agreed to stay a cease-and-desist order against Coinme a month after going after the startup. —

Ben Weiss, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for desist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desist

Verb

University of Arkansas men's basketball Coach John Calipari has ceased box-out drills.

— Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Based on the timeline laid out by the district attorney’s office, all attempts to find Proctor ceased after Gascón was defeated by current Los Angeles County Dist.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Definition of cease

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desirousness

desist

desisted

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“Desist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desist. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of desist

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