How to pronounce desist
Say it like dih-SIST. Desist has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce desist. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SIST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Desist pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SISTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of desist
American and British speakers say desist in essentially the same way: /dɪˈsɪst/ in the US and /dɪˈsɪst/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-SIST.
What does desist mean?
- To cease to proceed or act; to stop (often with from).“Please desist from telephoning me at this number.”
Where does desist come from?
Borrowed from Middle French desister, from Latin dēsistō, from dē- + sistō (whence de-).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with desist
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of desist.
Questions about saying desist
How do you pronounce desist?
Say dih-SIST. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈsɪst/. In British English it is /dɪˈsɪst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in desist?
Desist has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIST). Broken into parts: dih · SIST.
Do Americans and Brits say desist the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈsɪst/ and the British form is /dɪˈsɪst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.