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.
—
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
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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Though the indignity ran deep, our ancestors refused to bow.—
John E. Jackson Sr,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
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Some of The View's live studio audience members welcomed Vice President JD Vance to the Hot Topics table by refusing to applaud.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Israel’s request to see the text was rejected by the US, an Israeli source told CNN.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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The legal case, decided at an emergency hearing in a Los Angeles courthouse on Monday morning, was brought by an Iranian fan who said FIFA’s block impinged freedom of speech, but the judge rejected that argument.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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When child care becomes too expensive or difficult to find, some parents turn down job-advancement opportunities, reduce their hours or leave the workforce entirely.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
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Aguirre turned down a four-year contract offer from the FMF to remain as Mexico’s coach.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Businesses denied loans mid-deal Traditional banks often hesitate to deal with small firms.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
12 June 2026
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For example, a manager may hesitate to recommend another woman for a high-profile assignment out of concern that opportunities are limited or that supporting a peer could diminish her own standing.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Assad lied and temporized, the official said.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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