noun

cease and desist

sees and dih-ZIST

Cease and desist (noun) means a formal demand, usually sent as a letter by a lawyer, ordering someone to stop an activity said to be unlawful — such as using a trademark, publishing a claim or contacting a person — and warning of legal action if they do not. Example: “She received a cease and desist over the logo within a week of launching.”

noun

A formal demand, usually sent as a letter by a lawyer, ordering someone to stop an activity said to be unlawful — such as using a trademark, publishing a claim or contacting a person — and warning of legal action if they do not.

"She received a cease and desist over the logo within a week of launching."

"Their lawyers fired off a cease and desist demanding the video be taken down."

legal An order issued by a court or regulator legally compelling a person or company to halt a specified activity.

"The regulator issued a cease and desist against the firm for selling unregistered securities."

verb

To stop doing something and not resume it.

"He was told to cease and desist from contacting the family."

How to Use Cease and desist

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA letter telling you to stop doing something or face being sued.

When to use it

Legal register, but widely used in general speech and often jokingly ("consider this a cease and desist").

Memory tip

Note the preposition: you cease and desist from an activity. As a noun it is countable — a cease and desist, two cease and desists.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

injunction → restraining order takedown notice

Common pairings

send a cease and desist receive a cease and desist cease and desist letter cease and desist order

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “cease and desist” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She received a _____ over the logo within a week of launching.

Etymology

A legal doublet: cease and desist both came into English from Old French (cesser and desister), from Latin cessare and desistere. Such pairings were common in English legal drafting, where two near-synonyms were set together to close any gap in meaning.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

cease and desist letter demand letter legal notice injunction restraining order stop order stop halt desist refrain

Related Words

end point start stop stay include continue station

Rhymes for cease and desist

resist desist

See all rhymes for cease and desist →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cease and desist letter legally binding?

A letter from a private lawyer is not. It is a demand and a warning, carrying no force on its own — ignoring it is not contempt of court. An order issued by a court or a regulator is a different thing entirely and must be obeyed.

What is the difference between a cease and desist and an injunction?

A cease and desist is typically the first step, sent privately before any case is filed. An injunction is granted by a judge after a legal application and is enforceable, with penalties for breaching it. Many disputes end at the letter stage without ever reaching an injunction.

Why does it say both cease and desist when they mean the same thing?

It is a legal doublet, an old drafting habit of pairing an English word with its French or Latin equivalent so no reading could wriggle out. Cease means stop now; desist means do not start again. Together they close both gaps.

People Also Searched

end point start stop stay include continue station