as in to keep (from)
to resist the temptation of
had to abstain from solid food before her surgery
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain (from)
avoid
Verb
-
Start with the bottom branches to avoid adding more weight to lower limbs.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026 -
Reconciliation, by contrast, allowed Republicans to pass fiscal and revenue-related farm provisions with a simple majority, bypassing the filibuster and avoiding a stalemate that could have stretched on for years.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
31 Jan. 2026
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“Abstain (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain%20%28from%29. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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