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 So far this year, DDPHE has received 8 complaints and issued cease and desist letters to people making and selling food from their home. —Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 6 May 2026 At the time, University Heights, citing zoning laws, issued a cease-and-desist order blocking Grand from using his home for prayer. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 According to the complaint, Book Society sent DBS a cease and desist notice in February with demands that the Denver store cease operations and remove signs, merchandise and social media handles. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026 His camp vowed to legally challenge the accusations and has sent cease-and-desist letters to some of his accusers. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 15 Apr. 2026 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
  • Key indicators include clients engaging more with competitors, ceasing to credit your work in their successes, and offering delayed or forced responses to communications.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • After making a batch, production ceased a few weeks ago.
    — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Definition of cease
Verb
  • Amazon Today, which used Flex drivers to pick up orders from malls and retailers, was discontinued in late 2024 after drivers often left stores with just one or two items.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
  • The basic plan has been discontinued.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Definition of discontinue
Verb
  • The flotilla boats were stopped around 90-100 miles from the Gaza coastline, according to the flotilla's website tracker.
    — May 19, CBS News, 19 May 2026
  • Those unable to swim two lengths of the pool without stopping should have a parent remain close enough to reach them.
    — Laura Berrios, AJC.com, 19 May 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • The new honey-gold edition continues to use this innovation, which allows the tourbillon to be halted at any moment by an arresting spring, regardless of the position of the balance or cage, enabling precise, one-second time setting.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • The land was dedicated as a park in 2008, but the Great Recession halted city spending on the project.
    — Mark Dee May 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 May 2026
Definition of halt
Verb
  • Mark Teixeira homered from both sides of the plate and the New York Yankees finished a four-game sweep of Minnesota with a 7-6 victory.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • The council will vote for an interim mayor to finish the remainder of Lyles’ term, which ends in December 2027.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
Definition of finish
Verb
  • Last year, Meiner attempted to terminate the lease of an independent movie theater O Cinema for screening a documentary about the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
  • The Town Council on Tuesday discussed an ordinance that calls for the two towns to mutually terminate the agreement on their dispatch center.
    — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Definition of terminate
Verb
  • President Pablo Longoria, sporting director Mehdi Benatia and head coach Roberto De Zerbi were portrayed as working in lockstep, and De Zerbi’s first season at the helm had concluded with Marseille securing automatic Champions League qualification for only the third time since 2013.
    — Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • The late-night host concluded his TV tenure in May 2015 after revealing his plans to retire the previous year.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 16 May 2026
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 20 May. 2026.

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