Definitions
- Referring to stopping an action or behavior that is considered inappropriate or harmful. - Talking about refraining from doing something that is causing harm or discomfort to oneself or others. - Describing the act of stopping oneself from continuing a particular activity or behavior.
- Referring to stopping an activity or behavior that has been ongoing for a period of time. - Talking about ending a situation or condition that has been causing problems or difficulties. - Describing the act of stopping something completely and permanently.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to stopping or ending something.
- 2Both words can be used in formal or informal contexts.
- 3Both words are verbs that indicate an action.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Desist is typically used to refer to stopping a specific action or behavior, while cease can be used to refer to stopping any activity or process.
- 2Intensity: Cease implies a more complete and permanent stoppage than desist.
- 3Duration: Cease implies that the activity or behavior has been ongoing for a period of time, while desist does not necessarily imply duration.
- 4Formality: Cease is generally considered more formal than desist.
- 5Connotation: Desist has a connotation of stopping something that is inappropriate or harmful, while cease does not have this connotation.
Remember this!
Desist and cease are synonyms that both refer to stopping or ending something. However, desist is typically used to refer to stopping a specific action or behavior, while cease can be used to refer to stopping any activity or process. Additionally, cease implies a more complete and permanent stoppage than desist, and is generally considered more formal.
