abstaining

verb

present participle of abstain
as in refusing

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstaining
  1. refusing
  2. rejecting
  3. turning down
  4. hesitating
  5. delaying
  6. declining
Verb
  • The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Failing the exam or refusing to take it is proof of the need for civil commitment.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of refusing
Verb
  • At first, all 15 countries have the same colored ballot slips for the straw polls, so no one knows who is supporting or rejecting a candidate.
    — Tim Backshall, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2026
  • There is still time for Americans to create a new apogee before America 300 by rejecting the lies, insecurity, and ignorance endemic of the last quarter-century.
    — Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of rejecting
Verb
  • Closing the curtains tightly before bed and turning down the thermostat also help.
    — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Tucker entered last offseason as the consensus top free agent after turning down a qualifying offer from the Chicago Cubs.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of turning down
Verb
  • 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
  • Cueto was known for hesitating while in his pitching motion, or wiggling on the mound.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitating
Verb
  • In addition to suspending operations on the four existing cameras, the village is delaying installation of the other eight until concerns are addressed.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026
  • While researchers have made tremendous headway in diagnosing the disease early and delaying symptom onset, a cure remains elusive, and a detailed understanding of the mechanisms behind the disease still has too many gaps.
    — Mike McRae September 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of delaying
Verb
  • Parents, students, and educators raised concerns Wednesday night about Broward County Public Schools' proposal to close several schools as the district grapples with declining enrollment and significant funding shortfalls.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Across the city and the country, declining attendance has idled many religious buildings, often leading to conversions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of declining
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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abstain (from)
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abstaining (from)
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Cite this Entry

“Abstaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstaining. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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