DESIST (FROM) Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

desist (from)

verb

di-ˈsist

Definition of desist (from)

as in to stop

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end ordered to desist from using the copyrighted music without permission

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desist (from)

Verb

Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo XIV's physician, said the pontiff's recovery from lung cancer surgery won't stop plans for a visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Another to stop solving problems his team brings him and teach them to solve it instead.

— Ben Plomion, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of stop

Verb

After Epstein's 2019 arrest, federal prosecutors asked New Mexico to cease its own investigation of Epstein's activities in New Mexico.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
After dramatically reducing the number of children in hotels over the past three years, DHS ceased the practice entirely in November 2025.

— Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of cease

Verb

Letter writer second-guesses history of avoidant behavior after one phone argument ends a decades-long friendship.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
In a shocking upset, a student movement resoundingly beat longtime Serbian leader President Aleksandar Vucic, ending his time in power after 14 years.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of end

Verb

As a result, Metra trains on the BNSF Line were temporarily halted near Western Avenue.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
After fumbling twice in Michigan State territory, halting offensive momentum, the Bruins were trailing going into the second quarter and tied 7-7 with three minutes left in the second quarter.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of halt

Verb

Continue reading â¦ CIVIC BREAKDOWN â Town's entire police force quits after bitter feud with city leaders boils over.

— , FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
After taking on their third client, Bordelon and Slocum quit their jobs to focus on The Brownstone Boys full-time.

— Sophie Caldwell,Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of quit

Verb

Shadab completed his century by playing a late cut off Atkinson for his 12th boundary before hitting the fast bowler over long off for a six to reduce the target to three runs off the final three overs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Sometimes that manifests in small ways, such as when media relations staffers cut off a news conference early in the hope of ingratiating themselves to a player.

— Stephanie Apstein, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of cut off

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.

Browse Nearby Words

desisted (from)

desist (from)

desisting

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Desist (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desist%20%28from%29. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of desist (from)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes