Definitions
- Describing the act of holding back or restraining oneself from doing something. - Referring to the repetition of a phrase or verse in a song or poem. - Talking about avoiding or abstaining from a particular action or behavior.
- Referring to the act of stopping or ceasing an action or behavior. - Describing the act of refraining from continuing a particular activity or behavior. - Talking about avoiding or abstaining from a particular action or behavior.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to stopping or abstaining from a particular action or behavior.
- 2Both words imply a sense of self-control or discipline.
- 3Both words can be used in legal contexts to indicate a cease and desist order.
- 4Both words have negative connotations, implying that the action or behavior being stopped is undesirable or harmful.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Refrain is more commonly used in everyday language, while desist is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts.
- 2Connotation: Refrain implies a sense of self-restraint or willpower, while desist implies a more forceful or authoritative cessation of an action or behavior.
- 3Scope: Refrain can refer to a wide range of actions or behaviors, while desist is more specific and typically used for more serious or harmful actions.
Remember this!
Refrain and desist are synonyms that both refer to stopping or abstaining from a particular action or behavior. However, refrain is more commonly used in everyday language and implies a sense of self-restraint or willpower, while desist is more formal and implies a more forceful or authoritative cessation of an action or behavior, often used in legal or official contexts.
