abstaining

present participle of abstain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstaining
Verb
  • The Wisconsin faithful stayed put, drenched and delirious, as if refusing to let the night slip away like so many before it.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • In the meantime, the day-to-day work is on us—looking at our money honestly, making strategic moves, and refusing to let an unfair system keep us from building something better for ourselves and the next generation.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Two in 5 Gen Zers are pursuing blue-collar work, rejecting the collegiate path and learning trades, according to a May 2025 survey of 1,434 young adults by Resume Builder.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
  • And the British nations, as ever, remained aloof, England rejecting a late offer to step in for Austria.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Born in Laurel, Mississippi, on November 29, 1935, Ladd was interested in acting from a young age, even turning down a college scholarship to pursue the craft.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Inside the virtual reality world, patients can interact with other people, walk throughout the house party or bar, and even practice turning down an offer of alcohol or drugs.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Chamandy said that, because of the ambiguity associated with the tariffs, companies are still hesitating to change suppliers until the dust settles.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
  • For now, Ian’s hesitating to tell Mike.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These cuts mean reducing supply budgets in most departments, delaying the purchase of new math curriculum and Chromebooks, freezing hiring for nonclassroom positions and canceling contract agreements that will not disrupt operations.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • In such cases, delaying treatment may worsen the condition.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Autophagy means detecting and removing cells that are declining in functional capacity and replacing them with new cells.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
  • However, Gallup's polling also shows declining support among Republicans.
    Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2025.

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