ABSTAIN Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

abstain

verb

Definition of abstain

as in to refuse

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abstain However, this could be reversed if the men stopped using anabolic steroids and continued to abstain from them over the long term. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 If all four of those parties remain united to maintain the firewall against the AfD, and all five BSW lawmakers abstain from the vote, the result would be a tie, and the AfD would still not be able to form a government. — Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026 The effort, which had major bipartisan support, was abandoned in favor of vote pairing, an informal arrangement where an absent lawmaker coordinates with an opposing lawmaker who agrees to abstain or withhold their vote. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Guests may abstain completely or alternate between alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks during the night. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for abstain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain

Verb

Officers said Marvin repeatedly refused instructions to move out of the robot's path.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Others seemed meek, with downcast eyes that refused to meet the camera.

— Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of refuse

Verb

After 12 years, three standalone movies and a holiday special, Amanda Seyfried appears to have no regrets turning down a Guardians of the Galaxy lead role.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2026
Unwieldy as the structure may be, who would turn down the chance to witness an iconic entertainer play the hits?

— Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn down

Verb

Valkyria hesitated for a split second and Bayley took advantage.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Smear certainly finds Ides of March star Clooney, who never hesitates to put his politics and star power to work, and the rest of the cast stepping into some deep, murky and often digital waters.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Verb

Assad lied and temporized, the official said.

— Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Accompanying these principles must be a rejection of the impulse to temporize about the dangers that confront us and a rejection of the bizarre deprecation of our nation and civilization.

— Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022

Definition of temporize

Browse Nearby Words

absorption

abstain

abstained

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Style

“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of abstain

verb

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