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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.

Studios like Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros. and Netflix are now calling out the Chinese company with cease and desist letters.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 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

Ms Cox's lawyer sent the company a legal "cease and desist" letter, asking that it stop using the phrase, but she said the response described her as "bitter".

From BBC • Nov. 21, 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

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.