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 If one or more commissioners choose to abstain from a merger vote because of ethical concerns, what would happen next is unclear. — ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026 Women are therefore advised to abstain from all drinking during pregnancy. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 11 June 2026 Buried not so deep in the bylaws and statutes that legally define FIFA, is a pledge that the organization will abstain from the vagaries of politics. — Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 8 June 2026 Five voted against, including Brown, and five others abstained — all of whom are appointed or elected with CTU support. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for abstain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain

Verb

Israel, which has refused to cooperate with the commission since it was established in 2021, has strenuously denied the accusations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
El Sayed acknowledged that both Israel and Iran could cause harm but refused twice to rank one as the greater threat.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of refuse

Verb

Justice Brett Kavanaugh quickly rejected the appeal without seeing any need to refer it to his colleagues, and the matter appeared to be closed—for an hour or so, anyway.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
On the same day, Newsom also rejected a measure that would have stopped federal immigration enforcement officers from using their experience to obtain a state training waiver.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of reject

Verb

Nobody’s retiring off a Fantasy 5 drawing, but nobody would turn down the $56,615 won by each of the players who chose 3, 11, 14, 19 and 31.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Even at the lower figure, that’s about double the $2 million his mom turned down.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn down

Verb

While its lawyers have not hesitated to send cease-and-desist letters to AI companies, Disney is among the big media companies looking for ways to get in the AI game and profit from its boom.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Please have a plan in place should flash flooding develop and do not hesitate to act.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 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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“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of abstain

verb

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