ABSTAINED Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

abstained

verb

past tense of abstain

as in refused

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstained

Verb

The driver refused to stop and led deputies on a short pursuit that ended on Wandering Ridge Drive.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
When Duterte refused, China began blocking Filipino fishermen from the shoal again.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of refused

Verb

Crump has also rejected notions from law enforcement officials that Wells may have drowned, citing the teenager’s ability to swim well and his athletic past.

— Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
Florida Crystals consistently rejected those criticisms, saying the company complied with environmental regulations, invested heavily in conservation and upheld labor standards.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of rejected

Verb

And candidates who hear nothing enough times stop investing before they can be turned down, withholding the one thing the process depends on — a person willing to show up and mean it.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
In fact, trade proposals have been sent to two teams — the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Sun — but were turned down.

— Annie Costabile, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of turned down

Verb

When Kimmel hesitated when guessing Spaghetti & Meatball, Affleck and Ding called upon Ding’s trivia partner Stephen Morrison, who opted not to answer.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Natalia, again fearing a trap, hesitated to disembark—until the dawn light revealed the smiling face of the rotund Diego Rivera, flanked by Mexican Trotskyists and government officials.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 July 2026

Definition of hesitated

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abstain

abstained

abstained (from)

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“Abstained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstained. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of abstained

verb

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