YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

desist

Verb

IPA /dɪˈzɪst/

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UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

To stop an action or activity, especially after being told it is wrong or unwanted.

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Pronunciation

desist/dɪˈzɪst/

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Visitors keep feeding the birds
A notice asks them to stop
They end the activity

To desist from an activity is to stop doing it.

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

The notice asked visitors to desist from feeding the birds.
The supervisor told the team to desist from sharing unverified figures.

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Quick word quiz

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Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

The notice asked visitors to ________ from feeding the birds.

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desist — To stop an action or activity, especially after being told it is wrong or unwanted.

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Write one sentence using “desist” about your own life.

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To stop an action or activity, especially after being told it is wrong or unwanted.

Compare: The notice asked visitors to desist from feeding the birds.

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Word origin

From Old French desister and Latin desistere, related to stopping or standing down.

Did you know?

Desist from is followed by a noun or an -ing form.

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