as in to refuse
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Recent Examples of abstain
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
At the program, which costs around $1,000 a day, clients must abstain from smartphones, gaming, social media, and other technologies—often for months, and undergo intensive therapy sessions.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
In choosing to abstain from noisy pedal effects and clanging cymbals, Landowner whip up far more entrancing patterns that thrive in the tidiness.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
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
At the program, which costs around $1,000 a day, clients must abstain from smartphones, gaming, social media, and other technologies—often for months, and undergo intensive therapy sessions.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
In choosing to abstain from noisy pedal effects and clanging cymbals, Landowner whip up far more entrancing patterns that thrive in the tidiness.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
-
To add to the sense of chaos, a ballboy refused to give the ball to Middlesbrough’s Matt Targett — who began his career at Southampton — which led to another flare-up.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
When Warren’s editor sent galleys of the book to William Faulkner, seeking a blurb, Faulkner refused.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
But Breakfield rejected that argument during sentencing.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Lower courts likely won't approve a measure that aims to circumvent a Supreme Court ruling and would probably reject any law that ties the provision of general government services to the behaviors of the recipients, Smith said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Stanley Tucci is opening up about turning down opportunities to take part in food competition shows.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
-
In a letter turning down that request, Attorney General Rob Bonta placed his faith in Cal Fire.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
New parents often hesitate to communicate their evolving needs at work, but Lauren Smith Brody emphasizes that speaking up about flexible arrangements can enhance not only their own work-life balance but also benefit colleagues and overall company performance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 May 2026
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With that possibility in mind, the Thunder didn’t hesitate to trade another of their 2026 first-round picks (and three future second-rounders) for sharpshooting guard Jared McCain, the Corona kid whose 13 second-half points Thursday were absolute backbreakers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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