as in to refuse
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Recent Examples of abstain
Festivities and rituals build in intensity over Holy Week, culminating in an eight-hour, overnight service that ends with the breaking of a 55-day fast in which believers abstain from meat and animal products.
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ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Those fasting must abstain from consuming meat.
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Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
Hegseth promised to abstain if he was confirmed.
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Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Organizers advised people to abstain from engaging with counter protesters and stick together as the event began to unfold.
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Alex Gladden,
Oklahoman,
28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Those fasting must abstain from consuming meat.
—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
Hegseth promised to abstain if he was confirmed.
—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Organizers advised people to abstain from engaging with counter protesters and stick together as the event began to unfold.
—
Alex Gladden,
Oklahoman,
28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
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While prosecution witnesses have refused to delineate between the Lachman and Palisades blazes, Haney has repeatedly described them as two distinct incidents that ignited days apart.
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After a May debate, Smullen refused to shake his opponent's hand.
Verb
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Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez rejected those motions.
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Goldman has drawn criticism for refusing to reject support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group.
Verb
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Pairing a floral sundress with a pair of white sneakers turns down the volume on the feminine formality, making the classic piece a bit less fussy.
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So far, Alvarez has turned down a couple of agreements struck by Atetlico with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal because of this.
Verb
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When asked which member of the family is the best soccer player, Theo didn't hesitate.
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When an agreement offers nothing to the Iranian people, why would the regime hesitate to intensify its crackdown?
Verb
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Assad lied and temporized, the official said.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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