Spanish Conversation · Level 66
60 words
Spanish word
desistir
Pronunciation
IPA/desisˈtiɾ/
Meaning
- verbgive up
Example
No desistas ahora; aún puedes lograrlo.
Don't give up now; you can still achieve it.
More examples
La empresa decidió desistir del proyecto por falta de fondos.
The company decided to give up the project for lack of funds.
Core concept
Ceasing an attempt on a specific plan or purpose.
Common phrases
desistir de
give up
desistir de + infinitivo
give up doing
desistir en el intento
give up the attempt
Similar words
dejar: Stops a repeated action or habit, typically in everyday or casual situations.
rendirse: Ceases resisting and yields to an opponent or force, accepting defeat or capture.
darse por vencido: Abandons an effort after losing hope or motivation.
renunciar: Gives up a job, position, right, or claim by one's own decision.
Definition in Spanish
Dejar de intentar algo o renunciar a un propósito, a menudo seguido de 'de' más el complemento.
Word origin
Derives from Latin desistere (de- 'away' + sistere 'stand'), literally 'stand away', and Spanish desistir has the sense of giving up or abandoning an intention.
Usage tips
- A direct cognate of English 'desist', so the word often appears in formal notices, reports, and legal texts rather than in everyday speech.
Other meanings
- abandonverb
Opposites
- persistirpersistverb
- perseverarpersevereverb
Related words
- desistimientodesistancenoun
- desistentequitternoun