verb
desist
dih-SIHST
verb
1
To stop doing something, often used as a formal or legal instruction.
"The court ordered the company to desist from further advertising."
"He was told to cease and desist immediately."
How to Use Desist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop doing something, usually phrased formally.
When to use it
Fairly formal or legal in tone; in everyday speech people usually just say "stop."
Common pairings
cease and desist
desist from
Word Forms
desisted past tense, desists singular
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The court ordered the company to _____ from further advertising.
Etymology
From Latin desistere, "to stand off, leave off" — from de- + sistere ("to stand, stop").