as in to keep (from)
to resist the temptation of
had to abstain from solid food before her surgery
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain (from)
avoid
Verb
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To avoid a deluge of applications from every theater in America, Cockrum decided to make grants by invitation.
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Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.
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“Abstain (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain%20%28from%29. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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