desist

USAGE SUMMARY

"desist" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb meaning to stop doing something. For example: He asked her to desist from calling him so frequently.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Farc need constant reassurance because they are very, very mistrustful Michael Shifter Several US officials have suggested privately that diplomatic relations would not be affected if Colombia choses to desist from extraditing demobilized guerrillas.

The Guardian

"Instead of demanding that Iran desist from the terrorist activity that it is carrying out in the Middle East and throughout the world, it is being allowed to arm itself with advanced weapons that will only increase its aggression," he said.

The Guardian

Houston's city attorney, David Feldman, sent an email to Uber last month formally asking that it "cease and desist" from encouraging the public to write to officials demanding the introduction of the service.

The Guardian

A leader from the Inter-religious Council said that the EU should "respect the sovereign rights of other nations and desist from tying homosexuality to development aid," to deafening applause.

The Guardian

Its reports have gone to the IWC, which has issued resolutions asking Japan to desist, which Japan has ignored.

The Guardian

"I was of the opinion that after the Reuters article and the other stuff, we should cease and desist doing business with Cheung Chi Tai".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Last Friday, after the OCC had sent it a cease-and-desist order, the last bank in the United States still processing money transfers to Somalia closed its service.

The Guardian - Opinion

The competition between the Post and the Mail led, says King, to the former serving a cease-and-desist order on the latter over an article it claimed to have been plagiarised from its website.

The Guardian

The judge rejected that claim, ruling that Pilates had become a generic name, and thus not one entitled to protection.Undaunted, in 2002 Bikram ordered his lawyers to start sending out "cease-and-desist" letters to Bikram studios, demanding that the owners stop infringing on his alleged property and start paying him money.

The Economist

The company sent an ill-tempered cease-and-desist letter, which predictably turned the man into a cult hero in cyberspace.

The Economist

Cease-and-desist letters have been sent.The second challenger is a heavyweight.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When combined with "from," "desist" explicitly indicates the action to be stopped, making the request clearer: "Desist from making unfounded accusations."

Common error

Avoid using "desist" in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "stop" or "quit" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "desist" is as an intransitive verb. It signifies the act of ceasing or abstaining from a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable, particularly in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desist" is a grammatically sound verb that means to stop or abstain from doing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, particularly in formal contexts. While "desist" enjoys frequent use in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains, it's rarely seen in Academia, Encyclopedias, or Wiki environments. For alternatives, consider "cease", "refrain from", or "abstain from", each carrying slightly different nuances. When writing, reserve "desist" for situations requiring a polite yet firm request to cease an action, and avoid it in casual conversation where simpler alternatives are more appropriate. The phrase "desist" is a powerful tool for clear, authoritative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease

Implies a more abrupt or complete halt to an action.

refrain from

Emphasizes the act of holding oneself back from doing something.

abstain from

Suggests a deliberate choice to avoid something, often for moral or health reasons.

forbear

Indicates patience and tolerance in refraining from action.

discontinue

Formal term for stopping a process or activity.

halt

Implies a sudden and often forceful stop.

stop

General term for ceasing an action or movement.

desist from

Adds extra emphasis because from the verb "desist" already has its own meaning.

hold back

Suggests restraining oneself or someone else from doing something.

quit

Implies abandoning or leaving something, often permanently.

FAQs

How do I use "desist" in a sentence?

"Desist" is typically followed by "from" and a gerund (verb ending in -ing) to specify the action to be stopped. For example, "Please "desist from interrupting"."

What can I say instead of "desist"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "stop", "refrain from", or "cease". The best choice will depend on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "desist from" or "desist to"?

"Desist from" is the correct usage. "Desist" is typically followed by the preposition "from" and a gerund. "Desist to" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "desist" and "cease"?

While both words mean to stop, "desist" often implies a more polite or formal request to stop an action, whereas "cease" can be more abrupt or absolute. For example, a legal notice might say "Cease and desist."