Word
desist
Phoneticsde·sist, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈsɪst/
UK/dɪsˈɪst/
Definition
v. to stop doing something, especially when someone in authority tells you to. It is a very formal way to say 'stop'.
v. to cease or abstain from an action or behaviour. Often used in legal or official contexts to command the termination of a specific activity.
Examples
“The judge ordered the company to desist from using the logo.”
“After receiving a formal warning from the council, the neighbours agreed to desist from playing loud music after midnight.”
“The court issued a permanent injunction requiring the defendant to desist from any further contact with the plaintiff, citing a documented history of harassment and intimidation.”
Examples
simple
“The judge ordered the company to desist from using the logo.”
contextual
“After receiving a formal warning from the council, the neighbours agreed to desist from playing loud music after midnight.”
complex
“The court issued a permanent injunction requiring the defendant to desist from any further contact with the plaintiff, citing a documented history of harassment and intimidation.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and is almost always followed by the preposition 'from' and a gerund or noun phrase.
Pitfall
The court ordered him to desist his actions.
The court ordered him to desist from his actions.
Desist is intransitive and requires the preposition 'from' before the object of the stopping.
Etymology
From Middle French desister.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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