as in to refuse
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Recent Examples of abstain
Schwartz abstained from voting on the resolution calling for an immediate safety investigation and must file a voting conflict form under state ethics laws.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
While that allows Democrats, in theory, to overcome GOP opposition to legislation supported by every Senate Democrat, any Republican senator could abstain from voting, denying Gilchrist the opportunity to vote.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The number of people in their 20s who chose to abstain from alcohol more than doubled between 2001 and 2019, going from 9% to 22%, according to a 2019 National Drug Strategy Household survey.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
In May, the city attorney, Kim Barlow, said only that Farrell Harrison was terminated without cause in a split council vote with the mayor abstaining.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
While that allows Democrats, in theory, to overcome GOP opposition to legislation supported by every Senate Democrat, any Republican senator could abstain from voting, denying Gilchrist the opportunity to vote.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The number of people in their 20s who chose to abstain from alcohol more than doubled between 2001 and 2019, going from 9% to 22%, according to a 2019 National Drug Strategy Household survey.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
In May, the city attorney, Kim Barlow, said only that Farrell Harrison was terminated without cause in a split council vote with the mayor abstaining.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
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Anisimova dialed in, desperately refusing to give Osaka any openings.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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The airline reserves the right to refuse transportation to plus-size passengers who cannot be safely accommodated.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Several world leaders have already rejected the plan and insisted that the only solution is the creation of a Palestinian state once Hamas hands over the hostages and a new Palestinian government takes over.—
Michele Chabin,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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Shi seemed confident that Strand Larsen, who was keen to join Newcastle United before the deadline, will knuckle down despite Wolves rejecting two bids.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just be prepared to turn down some visual settings in cutting-edge titles like Cyberpunk 2077, or plan to lean on DLSS 4 to maintain high settings.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
7 Sep. 2025
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Instead of getting down on one knee, LL Cool J turned down the music during a ride in his Porsche, drove at top speed and asked Smith to marry him.—
Vandana Pawa,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Larsen’s view, striking at the right moment - whether in blockchain, AI, or precision medicine - requires not only patience but also the courage to act decisively when others hesitate.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Some executives hesitated, unsure of what to expect.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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.—
Peter J. Travers,
National Review,
29 Mar. 2022
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Even groups long noted for opposing nuclear power, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Sierra Club, seem quietly ready to temporize on practical matters, such as allowing existing plants to continue as transitional energy sources.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harper’s Magazine ,
4 Jan. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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