desist

/dɪˈsɪst/

/dɪˈsɪst/

Other forms: desisted; desisting; desists

You can use the verb desist as a way to say "stop" or "cease." Instead of yelling "Cut it out!" the new neighbor asked the tween girls to desist from playing any more loud, screeching music from that long-haired boy-band.

If you want to insist that someone stop doing something, the word desist is a solid choice. It's often used as part of a legal order called a "cease and desist," which forces an action to come to a halt. "Cease" is a synonym for desist, so using the two together says "stop it!" loud and clear — and kind of redundantly. While cease often goes hand in hand with it, desist, can also be followed by from in the form another command: "Desist from camping on the lawn of your favorite singer's home so you won't be arrested."

Definitions of desist

1. verb

   choose not to consume
   synonyms: abstain, refrain

   types:

   fast

   abstain from eating

   fast

   abstain from certain foods, as for religious or medical reasons

   avoid, keep off

   refrain from certain foods or beverages

   teetotal

   practice teetotalism and abstain from the consumption of alcoholic beverages

   diet

   eat sparingly, for health reasons or to lose weight

   diet

   follow a regimen or a diet, as for health reasons