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cease-and-desist order

American  
[sees-uhn-di-zist, -sist] / ˈsis ən dɪˈzɪst, -ˈsɪst /

noun

  1. an order by a government agency to a person or corporation to terminate a business practice found by the agency to be illegal or unfair.


Etymology

Origin of cease-and-desist order

First recorded in 1925–30

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.

When threats didn’t work, the commission in 2024 slapped Levy with a cease-and-desist order, which started the process of full-blown enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

The bank also agreed to a cease-and-desist order from the Federal Reserve in 2024, which it characterized as similar to actions taken against others in the industry and said would not affect its business.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

The following January, Sánchez went public with her own project, going on to publish her book last week despite a cease-and-desist order Zabel obtained in April against Sánchez’s publisher the Collective Book Studio.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

The FTC could take a drugmaker to court to seek a cease-and-desist order.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2024

"On the other side, you'll find a cease-and-desist order."

From The Status Civilization by Sheckley, Robert

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