In the following one-word substitution question, select the verb that means to stop doing something, that is, to cease or abstain from a particular action.

Introduction / Context:
This one-word substitution question asks you to identify the verb that matches the definition "to stop doing something; cease or abstain." Such vocabulary items often appear in legal or formal contexts, and knowing them strengthens both your comprehension and written expression in English.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The definition clearly indicates stopping an action.
• Key ideas are "stop", "cease", and "abstain".
• Four verb options are provided.
• We must match the closest standard dictionary meaning.

Concept / Approach:
"Desist" is a verb commonly used in formal and legal English to mean stop doing something, especially after being warned. Phrases like "cease and desist" appear frequently in legal notices. The other options have different meanings: "endure" means to suffer patiently, "persevere" means to continue despite difficulties, and "dismay" is usually a noun or verb meaning to cause concern or distress. Only "desist" directly captures the idea of stopping or abstaining from an action.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the main requirement: a verb that means "to stop doing something". Step 2: Recall the standard formal verb used in this sense: "to desist". Step 3: Compare meanings: "endure" is almost the opposite, as it means to continue to suffer. Step 4: Note that "persevere" means to keep going despite challenges, again the opposite of stopping. Step 5: Recognise that "dismay" relates to causing worry or upset, not the act of stopping.

Verification / Alternative check:
Use the word in a sentence: "The court ordered the company to desist from using the misleading advertisement." This matches the idea of stopping an ongoing action. If you try to insert other options, such as "endure from using" or "persevere from using", the sentence becomes ungrammatical or changes meaning entirely. This confirms that "desist" is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a: "to endure" means to suffer patiently, to continue through hardship, not to stop. Option c: "to persevere" is to continue doing something despite difficulty, the exact opposite of stopping or abstaining. Option d: "to dismay" means to cause someone to feel distress or concern; it has nothing to do with stopping an action.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse "cease" and "desist" with other formal sounding verbs and may pick a word simply because it feels difficult or sophisticated. Always match the exact meaning given in the definition. Building a list of common formal verbs like "desist", "refrain", "abstain", and "renounce" and learning their proper usage will help in many one-word substitution questions.

Final Answer:
The correct one-word substitution is to desist.