abstaining

Definition of abstainingnext
present participle of abstain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstaining
Verb
  • By March, school districts across California are supposed to implement new guidance from the attorney general, including by clearly marking non-public areas and codifying a system for refusing access to immigration officers.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
  • On the play before his score, Allen gained 10 yards on a sneak, refusing to go down while being pushed and pulled to the goal line.
    Mark Long, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But a jury apparently disagreed, convicting Amiri of a civil rights violation that relied heavily on Manly-Williams’ testimony and rejecting all other charges, including conspiracy to violate civil rights.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Talarico represents the Democrats who believe that winning is possible by rejecting rather than emulating the president’s least flattering qualities.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Deep into stoppage time, fans vented their spleen at the sight of Dominik Szoboszlai turning down the chance to cross into the box, instead opting to pass sideways to Ibrahima Konate.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Despite unified denouncements of antisemitism, Fetterman criticized colleagues for hesitating to fully confront anti-Israel hostility.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
  • After a 5% rebound rally, the benchmark is hesitating a bit around 6850, comfortably near the upper end of a two-month range but perhaps marking some time to gather itself ahead of next week's Fed meeting.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Since oxygen is the culprit, the trick to delaying the browning process is to shield the flesh from oxygen exposure.
    Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
  • But a weaker-than-expected first quarterly earnings report in September was followed a week later by a testing explosion that destroyed a rocket stage — delaying an upcoming launch — and sent the company’s stock plummeting to about $20.
    Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • According to the company, the declining profits stemmed from low drug reimbursement rates and slow retail sales.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • After all, there are signs that the economy is improving (unemployment and inflation are declining), but after the economic struggles of recent years, and with household debt still high, an additional financing source won't hurt, either.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
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 Jan. 2026.

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