V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary
desist
verb
Definition: to cease or stop doing something permanently
Synonyms: discontinue, renounce, end, cease, break off, forbear, remit, stop
Antonyms: begin, continue
Tips: Desist comes from the Latin word sistere, "to bring to a standstill." It is most often used in formal contexts, such as law, to denote ending or stopping something, with a connotation of force behind it (someone's being enjoined to "cease and desist" on pain of legal action). Desist goes further than cease, in that cease merely means "stop" (with the possibility of restarting), while desist means "stop, and do not ever restart."
Usage Examples:
If you do not desist in following me, I will be forced to call the police. (stop, discontinue)
The lawyer requested that the defendants be ordered to cease and desist in their scheme to take over the company, on the grounds that their methods were illegal. (discontinue, forbear)
If you do not desist this activity, you will be heavily fined. (cease, discontinue)
Employees were asked to desist all personal e-mails while at work. (stop, discontinue)
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