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Desist vs Forbid - What's the difference?

desist | forbid |

As verbs the difference between desist and forbid

is that desist is to cease to proceed or act; to stop; to forbear; -- often with from while forbid is to disallow; to proscribe.

desist

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To cease to proceed or act; to stop; to forbear; -- often with from .
  • * 1906 , , part I, ch I,
  • One Ear was uttering quick, eager whines, lunging at the length of his stick toward the darkness, and desisting now and again in order to make frantic attacks on the stick with his teeth.

    Anagrams

    *

    forbid

    English

    Verb

  • To disallow; to proscribe.
  • Smoking in the restaurant is forbidden .
  • * 1908 ,
  • the Mole recollected that animal-etiquette forbade any sort of comment on the sudden disappearance of one's friends at any moment, for any reason or no reason whatever.
  • To deny, exclude from, or warn off, by express command.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Have I not forbid her my house?
  • To oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command.
  • An impassable river forbids the approach of the army.
  • * Dryden
  • a blaze of glory that forbids the sight
  • (obsolete) To accurse; to blast.
  • * Shakespeare
  • He shall live a man forbid .
  • (obsolete) To defy; to challenge.
  • Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive'' when the forbidden person is mentioned, and the ''gerund (-ing) otherwise. See . Examples: ** The management forbids employees to smoke in the office. (Active; those subject to prohibition are identified) ** Employees are forbidden to smoke in the office. (Passive; those subject to prohibition are identified) ** The management forbids smoking in the office. (Active; those subject to prohibition are not identified) ** Smoking in the office is forbidden. (Passive; those subject to prohibition are not identified)

    Synonyms

    * prohibit * disallow * ban * veto * See also