abstaining

present participle of abstain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstaining
Verb
  • Defend Our Juries remained defiant, refusing to cancel the protest.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Maura is marvelous stomping around the apartment in a cold fury and refusing to speak to Clara, who proceeds regardless with broker negotiations and brings in antiques dealer Abslam (Ahmed Boulane) to buy up the contents.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Despite rejecting his proposal, her feelings for him stayed the same.
    Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The countries now recognizing a Palestinian state and publicly committing themselves to the prospect are rejecting that premise and denying the settler right’s attempt at a fait accompli.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In Georgia, a neonatal intensive care unit colleague who asked not to be named says parents are turning down Tylenol use for premature babies born with a heart condition that has long been successfully treated with the medication.
    Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Ament, 18, will soon begin his freshman season for the Tennessee Volunteers after turning down a multitude of suitors.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Even all-world corner Pat Surtain II didn’t have his best day, with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones not hesitating to go after him on routes over the middle.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • The federal government shut down Wednesday, delaying pay for federal workers (of whom there are 25,000 in Indiana), placing question marks on the financial health of federal aid programs like SNAP and WIC, and causing mass confusion and limbo in immigration court.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Staffing challenges – either at the local level, at the federal level or both – also could play a significant role in delaying interactions between the CDC and local health departments.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Schools are facing mounting challenges — from funding pressures to declining enrollment and stagnant student achievement.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Low midsingle-digit gains are anticipated due to rising prices from tariffs and inflation, declining consumer confidence, economic uncertainties and potential stockouts.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2025.

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