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

There’s something to be said for refusing to budge from your core principles of timeless design, high-quality materials and a focus on natural fibers for four decades.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
That brought a public outcry and boycott that led to NBC refusing to air the awards in 2022.

— Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

The 9th Circuit joined the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th Circuits in rejecting the administration’s policy, countering the 5th and 8th Circuits, which have said the policy is lawful.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
North and Central America and Caribbean governing body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) later came out with statements rejecting FIFA’s proposal, but stopping short of a boycott.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

Here are six signs that turning down a job offer deserves serious consideration.

— Kathy Caprino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said the city has spent four years turning down redevelopment offers for Palmetto Research Park in an effort to hold the property for higher-wage employers.

— John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026

Definition of turning down

Verb

While some may be looking for more reasons to eat cookies, many more are simply hesitating to eat salads and other fresh produce amid a multistate outbreak of cyclospora, known for that unpleasant symptom, among others.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
The book does often feel like a recording of a mental jam session, but there is also a sense of being guided by a kind of hesitating yet urgent voice that needs to get things figured out.

— Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026

Definition of hesitating

Verb

At the same time, borrowers are reporting increasing problems and errors that are delaying or derailing their ability to maintain access to affordable repayment plan programs and student loan forgiveness.

— Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
State lawmakers argued that schools should not be delaying reporting AI nudes until their own probes end but rather should be required to promptly tip off police, who are better positioned to investigate the crimes.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Definition of delaying

Verb

Wine consumption as a whole is declining, according to the French Agriculture Ministry, with the government funding permanent vineyard removal in some cases.

— Martina Di Licosa, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Some factors outside of districts’ control, such as the declining birth rate and competition with the private sector, could be contributing to this trend, according to local and state education leaders.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

Definition of declining

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“Abstaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstaining. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of abstaining

verb

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