verb

desist

dih-ZIST/dɪˈzɪst/

To stop doing something.

The man desists from ringing the bell and sets it down.

A two-panel sequence shows a man ringing a handbell, then setting it down and withdrawing his hands when a woman asks him to stop.

Etymology

“Off” combined with “come to a stand” gave the sense “stand aside” or “leave off.” That withdrawal from an action is preserved in today’s meaning, “stop doing something.”

In context

CBS Mornings0:26

he sent notices to daily fantasy sports sites DraftKings and FanDuel ordering them to cease and desist concluding that their contests are neither harmless nor victimless

Fans of fantasy sports sites protest New York AG’s “cease and desist” order

More examples

Despite repeated requests, he refuses to desist.
The company agrees to cease and desist from using our logo.
She finally desists when she realizes the joke is upsetting him.

Forms

desist · desists · desisted · desisting

Similar words

stop: Stop is neutral and common; desist is more formal.
cease: Cease can also describe an event ending without deliberate action.