What does it mean to cease or abstain from doing something?

To cease or abstain from doing something means to stop or discontinue an action that one is engaged in. The term that captures this concept most accurately is "desist." Desisting implies an intentional decision to refrain from an activity or task, which directly aligns with the idea of stopping or withdrawing from a particular behavior.

Other terms do not convey this meaning effectively. For instance, extol means to praise highly, which is unrelated to the act of stopping an action. Edit refers to modifying content, like text or film, and harrow describes a situation that causes distress or trouble, neither of which suggests a cessation of action. Therefore, the most fitting choice that encapsulates the idea of ceasing or abstaining is indeed "desist."