abstain

verb

Definition of abstainnext
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 The concept reportedly gained popularity in Utah, where many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abstain from coffee and alcohol, helping create demand for customizable, non-alcoholic drinks. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 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 In his new book on Capra, Sam Wasson describes the director’s defiance of Columbia Pictures’ skimpy ad budgets as well as his willingness to challenge the rule that filmmakers abstain from the sales hustle. — Peter Bart, Deadline, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
  1. refuse
  2. reject
  3. turn down
  4. hesitate
  5. temporize
Verb
  • Bansal, who refused to comment when contacted, has outlined his vision for Lenskart in the company’s latest quarterly presentation.
    — Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Trump’s treatment of South Korea is not unique, having taken punitive measures against a slew of allies who refused to back his invasion of Iran.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • Ogunyemi rejects the notion that encouragement is merely a soft leadership practice that can’t be connected to measurable business outcomes.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Lucas was convicted of fatally shooting a 16-year-old girl who rejected his romantic advances and wounding two of her friends.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • The 6ft 3in (191cm) goalkeeper, who turns 24 this month, had turned down interest from Manchester United to join the Belgian Pro League side, but his age was always going to give more experienced players pause for thought.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The cynical reality is that Republicans don’t even need to turn down tech company donations to campaign on their newly pragmatic identities.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of turn down
Verb
  • The reasons customers hesitate, why deals stall, or what causes operational issues to repeat themselves are often revealed in conversation, not in structured fields.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • People interrupt each other, hesitate to speak up, overlook important perspectives, or drift away from the purpose of the meeting.
    — Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business Review, 17 Aug. 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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Cite this Entry

“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abstain

Nglish: Translation of abstain for Spanish Speakers

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