desistir

to desist, to give up

verb deh-sees-TEER Rare

Origin: Latin desistere (de- + sistere, to stop)

Also means

to withdraw (legal)

Usage Note

Desistir is followed by de + infinitive or noun: desistió de continuar (he gave up continuing). In legal language it means to formally withdraw a claim or legal action (desistir de la demanda). It is more formal than rendirse (to surrender) or abandonar (to abandon); the latter two imply a more emotional or physical giving up.

Examples

"No debes desistir de tus sueños tan fácilmente."

Natural Translation

You should not give up on your dreams so easily.

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