desist
2 synonyms and 4 antonyms for desist, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To stop doing something, often used as a formal or legal instruction.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use desist
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cease and desist
desist from
Fairly formal or legal in tone; in everyday speech people usually just say "stop."
Etymology
From Latin desistere, "to stand off, leave off" — from de- + sistere ("to stand, stop").
Full origin of desist →Frequently asked questions
What does “desist” mean?
The word “desist” means to stop doing something, often used as a formal or legal instruction. In plain terms, to stop doing something, usually phrased formally.
How do you pronounce “desist”?
“Desist” is pronounced dih-SIHST (/dɪˈsɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “desist” in a sentence?
Here is “desist” used in a sentence: “The court ordered the company to desist from further advertising.”
What is the opposite of “desist”?
The opposite of “desist” — its antonyms — are continue, persevere, persist and proceed.
What part of speech is “desist”?
“Desist” is a verb.
Where does the word “desist” come from?
The word “desist” comes from Latin. From Latin desistere, "to stand off, leave off" — from de- + sistere ("to stand, stop").
