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Definitions

desist

[dih-sist, -zist] / dɪˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst /
VERB
stop, refrain from
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abstain cease relinquish
STRONG
abandon avoid discontinue end forbear halt pause quit resign suspend yield
WEAK
break off give over give up have done with knock off leave off not do surcease
Antonyms
STRONG
carry on complete continue finish persist restart
WEAK
endure go on keep on persevere resume

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Authorities said the agreement effectively restricted the number of resellers of Apple products on Amazon’s Spanish website and issued a cease and desist order for the companies to amend their contracts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

Paramount’s cease and desist letter was reviewed by The Times and makes similar assertions about ByteDance’s unapproved use of copyrighted material.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

In October, it sent a cease and desist letter to Perplexity.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

Mark Joseph Stern: I think he is begging us to please cease and desist calling them “Kavanaugh stops.”

From Slate • Dec. 30, 2025

One day he lit into Vanguard’s index funds and almost instantly received a cease and desist order from Vanguard’s attorneys.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis