as in to refuse
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Christians are obligated to fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as well as fast from meat on Fridays during Lent, according to Catholic Online.
—
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Feb. 2026
Some will abstain throughout the 40 days, while others will avoid meat on Fridays.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
During Lent, many Christians abstain from meat on Fridays, as well as Ash Wednesday.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
But Roman Catholic guidelines for fasting differ from those in other faiths that require believers to abstain from food or drink for extended periods.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Feb. 2026
Some will abstain throughout the 40 days, while others will avoid meat on Fridays.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
During Lent, many Christians abstain from meat on Fridays, as well as Ash Wednesday.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
But Roman Catholic guidelines for fasting differ from those in other faiths that require believers to abstain from food or drink for extended periods.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
-
More than a year later, with much of the Palisades still in ruins, LAFD leaders have refused to explain how or why the breakdowns occurred.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Tommy Thompson, a research scientist who was imprisoned for a decade after refusing to disclose where an 1800s shipwreck's gold coins were being stored, was released, according to federal Bureau of Prisons records.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a further escalation of tensions with Kyiv, Hungary's parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution giving the government the green light to oppose Ukraine's path to joining the European Union and reject any initiatives to supply Ukraine with weapons or funding.—
JUSTIN SPIKE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
On Tuesday, officials representing Seligman urged the council to reject the compensation agreements and instead sell the property to Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The stars are turning down the volume, but not changing the message.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Miles turned down being a top-three pick in the WNBA draft to spend her final collegiate season in Fort Worth.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Palmer is the center of the film and building the cast around her initially had Riley hesitating.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Anyone who spots a Nile monitor should be aware these animals will not hesitate to defend themselves.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
