as in to refuse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
This year, Herbst abstained from a Feb. 4 commission vote that allows Bahia Mar to sell food and alcoholic beverages on the sand.
—
Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
The rules include abstaining from substances that are already forbidden by the LDS Church, practicing chastity, forgoing the use of profanity and following a dress code that prohibits men from wearing beards or goatees and requires skirts to be no shorter than knee-length.
—Ashley Hume, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025
Trump has abstained from making security guarantees beyond an unsigned critical minerals agreement that would benefit the U.S. financially if private companies invest in Ukraine's natural resources.
—Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
These 40 days of Lent guide Catholics to abstain from eating meat on Fridays.
—Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
The rules include abstaining from substances that are already forbidden by the LDS Church, practicing chastity, forgoing the use of profanity and following a dress code that prohibits men from wearing beards or goatees and requires skirts to be no shorter than knee-length.
—Ashley Hume, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025
Trump has abstained from making security guarantees beyond an unsigned critical minerals agreement that would benefit the U.S. financially if private companies invest in Ukraine's natural resources.
—Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
These 40 days of Lent guide Catholics to abstain from eating meat on Fridays.
—Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
-
Instead, block unwanted calls and messages and refuse to provide financial information in response to an unexpected request.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Noboa refused to recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela after his staged 2024 election and is also committed to fighting criminal gangs with all available resources to restore peace and security in Ecuador.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The best way to avoid the tariffs, Trump has told businesses, is to make goods inside the U.S. EU officials had suggested sector-specific zero-for-zero tariffs with the U.S., such as in industrial goods and autos, but Trump rejected the idea.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
There are plenty of glaring examples, such as Steve Jobs and Google being rejected by some of the world’s most renowned VCs (https://www.bvp.com/anti-portfolio).—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Brighton turned down two significant bids from Saudi Arabia for the Japan international at the end of last week What type of offer might be enticing to Brighton and also to Mitoma?—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Last month, the Trump administration also turned down a request from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for a second deadline extension to apply for relief from the state following Hurricane Helene.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This creates bottlenecks, where employees hesitate to act without approval.—
Carlos Hoyos,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Inside Space Force: Here's What the New Agency Does To be sure, some countries may hesitate to align civilian space activities with a military alliance.—
Andrew Hanna,
Time,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Romney's Cass took Obama to task for opposing development of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and for temporizing on the Keystone pipeline, while Obama's Aldy accused Romney of being insensitive to the environment and to the needs and desires of future generations.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Oct. 2012
-
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 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share