abstaining

present participle of abstain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstaining
Verb
  • Anisimova dialed in, desperately refusing to give Osaka any openings.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • His staff acknowledged congratulatory comments on social media and posted photos of an encounter with someone whose car window was shattered after refusing to open it.
    Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Bottom Line Gen Z isn’t rejecting career ambition—they’re redefining it around skill mastery, purpose and sustainable productivity rather than traditional hierarchies.
    Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Even while rejecting many of the Administration’s demands, Harvard has in recent months made moves that share something of the flavor of the Administration’s preferences, beyond addressing antisemitism.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But if United chose this path by signing two big-money attacking midfielders this summer, so too did Fernandes by turning down Al Hilal’s offer to play in the Saudi Pro League.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Can states risk turning down massive economic development investments?
    Delaney Nolan, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As adults, this pattern can look like hesitating to ask for help, avoiding vulnerability or keeping emotional struggles private, even from those closest to you.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Concerns about the economy and tariffs do have some companies hesitating to make long-term decisions, but even with that concern, more are taking on long-term leases than were a year ago, CBRE found.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Coach Mike McDaniel said Waller was injured before Wednesday’s practice, delaying his return after spending last season in retirement.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The experts also recommend keeping devices out of bedrooms at night, establishing screen-free meals and even considering delaying access until mid-adolescence.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Burberry's share price has fallen sharply over recent years, declining almost 80% from April 2023 to September 2024, as waning sales and a slew of management changes exacerbated a wider luxury downturn.
    Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • That growing influencer base among podcasters contrasts with the declining reach of legacy TV networks and cable channels.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Abstaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstaining. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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