ABSTAINING Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

abstaining

verb

present participle of abstain

as in refusing

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstaining

Verb

Rumors circulated that Matthews was refusing to film with Paul, and since May, the two have been fighting online (alongside the rest of MomTok trying to keep the peace, to no avail).

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Despite backlash from her own party and Republicans, Headen is refusing to drop out of the state race.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

In rejecting his release in 2021, Newsom said Davis had continued to minimize his role in the crimes and shown a lack of empathy for his victims.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
The bow-wielding heroine of Brave spends the film rejecting the idea that a princess has to be anything other than herself.

— Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

But experts have worried that doctors are hesitating to offer treatment without an ironclad diagnosis, which clinicians say can take time and increase risks to the mother.

— Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2026
Fertilizer is often bought months ahead of planting, so hesitating in the fall can mean less goes on the ground in the spring.

— Jayash Paudel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hesitating

Verb

For some business owners, the impact extends beyond declining sales.

— Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan surpassed a record 100,000 this year, the latest government figures show, underscoring the country's rapidly aging and declining population.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of declining

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“Abstaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstaining. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of abstaining

verb

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