desistance

Sometimes de·sist·ence

[dih-sis-tuhns, -zis-]

noun

1. the act or process of ceasing, especially from a criminal or antisocial behavior.

   Substance abuse has been found to hinder desistance in young adults' aggressive behavior.

Other Word Forms

• nondesistance noun
• nondesistence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desistance¹

desist ( def. ) + -ance ( def. )

Example Sentences

Desistance means when someone stops identifying as transgender and pursuing medical transition.

From Slate

Voting is “part of a package of pro-social behavior that is linked to desistance from crime.”

From Washington Post

We need people excited about comedians sticking it to dumbstruck conservative attorneys general who can’t even name the medical organization she’s attributing her completely made-up, bogus desistance statistic to.

From Slate

Rather, they use the threat of certain but nonsevere punishments to encourage people to find their own paths to desistance.

From Washington Post

The idea that many trans kids will grow out of it is referred to in research as desistance.

From The Verge

Related Words

• closure 
• completion 
• consequence 
• denouement 
• development 
• ending 
• outcome 
• result