DESIST Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'desist' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of desist are cease , discontinue , quit , and stop . While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing. // desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Q: When would 'cease' be a good substitute for 'desist'?

Although the words cease and desist have much in common, cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality. // by nightfall the fighting had ceased

Q: When is it sensible to use 'discontinue' instead of 'desist'?

The meanings of discontinue and desist largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice. // we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

Q: When might 'quit' be a better fit than 'desist'?

While the synonyms quit and desist are close in meaning, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing. // the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

Q: When could 'stop' be used to replace 'desist'?

In some situations, the words stop and desist are roughly equivalent. However, stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness. // stopped at the red light

desist

verb

Definition of desist next

as in to cease

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word desist distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of desist are cease, discontinue, quit, and stop. While all these words mean "to suspend or cause to suspend activity," desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing.

desisted from further efforts to persuade them

When would cease be a good substitute for desist?

Although the words cease and desist have much in common, cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality.

by nightfall the fighting had ceased

When is it sensible to use discontinue instead of desist?

The meanings of discontinue and desist largely overlap; however, discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice.

we have discontinued the manufacture of that item

When might quit be a better fit than desist?

While the synonyms quit and desist are close in meaning, quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing.

the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether

When could stop be used to replace desist?

In some situations, the words stop and desist are roughly equivalent. However, stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness.

stopped at the red light

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of desist In the study, Littman and colleagues interviewed 78 Americans who previously identified as transgender but desisted in that identity. —

Ian Kingsbury, National Review, 9 Jan. 2024 That Israel desist from the removal and resettlement of Palestine refugees in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967 and from the destruction of their shelters. —

Michelle Orange, Harper's Magazine, 12 Dec. 2023 Tonatiuh Guillén, a former head of Mexico’s immigration agency, said the new system could succeed in persuading migrants to desist from the trip to the U.S. border. —

Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 13 May 2023 The annual winter spike in pollution in Delhi and its neighborhood can be reduced if farmers of nearby states are paid to desist from burning farm stubble, a new study suggests. —

Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 6 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for desist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desist

Verb

The return-to-work ordinance would require city executives to determine timelines to cease remote-work options for their employees.

— Jessica Boehm, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Wednesday night, precipitation is expected to be both rain and snow but become all rain after 1 a.m. Snow is expected to cease heading into Thursday with rain instead predicted before 1 p.m.

— Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2025