desist

[ dih-sist, -zist ]

/ dɪˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst /

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verb (used without object)

to cease, as from some action or proceeding; stop.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of desist

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Old French desister, from Latin dēsistere “to leave off,” equivalent to dē- de- + sistere “to stand, place,” akin to stāre “to stand” (see stand)

OTHER WORDS FROM desist

de·sist·ance, de·sist·ence, nounnon·de·sist·ing, adjective, nounun·de·sist·ing, adjective

Words nearby desist

desirable, desire, desired, Desire Under the Elms, desirous, desist, desistance, Desitin, desk, deskbound, desk calendar

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use desist in a sentence

The complaint says that Miramax sent Tarantino a cease-and-desist once they learned of the endeavor, which Tarantino ignored.
The Quentin Tarantino-Miramax Dispute Isn't the First Lawsuit Over NFTs—And it Won't Be the Last|Andrew R. Chow|November 17, 2021|Time
The agency has sent hundreds of warning letters to organizations for promoting a range of bogus coronavirus treatments, ordering them to cease and desist.
House panel opens inquiry into online businesses over ‘questionable’ coronavirus treatments and misinformation|Aaron Gregg|October 29, 2021|Washington Post
Last month, Randle issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding the commission stop using her name or likeness to promote the official commemoration.
Tensions erupt in Tulsa as city commemorates 1921 race massacre|DeNeen L. Brown|May 30, 2021|Washington Post
In late April, the city issued a cease-and-desist notice to JOCO, which the company ignored.
Joco allowed to continue ebike operations as NYC lawsuit plays out|Rebecca Bellan|May 6, 2021|TechCrunch

The team has served 32 cease-and-desist orders in Carlsbad since December, Reyes said.
How Carlsbad Restaurants Became Ground Zero for Coronavirus Defiance|Kayla Jimenez and Sara Libby|January 19, 2021|Voice of San Diego
He said that when he told her to desist, she threatened to hit herself and then tell the cops that he had done it.
The Black Widow of Silicon Valley|Michael Daly|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then there are the cases where the FEC does issue a cease and desist directive—only to be completely ignored.
Hillary’s SuperPAC War Proves Yet Again That Campaign Finance Needs a Fix|Michelle Cottle|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is a place where cease-and-desist letters are hung on the wall with pride.
New York Post Looks Thinner After News Corporation Split|David Freedlander|July 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is not your duty to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.
I Will Not Return to the Dark Reality of Putin's Russia|Garry Kasparov|June 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I hereby call on all Republicans involved in any voter suppression efforts to cease and desist immediately.
Four Things Reince Priebus Could Say That Would Matter|Michael Tomasky|March 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Jews flocked from all parts to assist in the work; but the combined forces were obliged to desist from the attempt.
Gospel Philosophy|J. H. Ward
She even threatens to strike the bell, when the Count de Carojac appears, and warns his rival to desist.
The Autobiography of a Play|Bronson Howard
But Warren begged him to desist, confident as he was that any further attempt would result in ill to them.
The Young Ranchers|Edward S. Ellis
And Friedrich did desist, in that direction, poor youth; but tried it the more in others.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. VII. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
But these clowns would not desist; they even added jeers and threats of violence if she did not leave the place.
Stories of Heroic Deeds for Boys and Girls|James Johonnot

British Dictionary definitions for desist

desist

/ (dɪˈzɪst) /

verb

(intr often foll by from) to cease, as from an action; stop or abstain

Derived forms of desist

desistance or desistence, noun

Word Origin for desist

C15: from Old French desister, from Latin dēsistere to leave off, stand apart, from de- + sistere to stand, halt

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with desist

desist

see cease and desist.

desist

Origin of desist

OTHER WORDS FROM desist

Words nearby desist

Words related to desist

How to use desist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for desist

Derived forms of desist

Word Origin for desist

Other Idioms and Phrases with desist