Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

refrain

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of refrain

a part of a song or hymn that is repeated every so often
  • I didnʼt know the verses of the song, so I only sang on the refrain
Synonyms of refrain

burden, chorus
Words Related to refrain

repeat, response

Learn More about refrain

  1. Dictionary: Definition of refrain Spanish Central: Translation of refrain Nglish: Translation of refrain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of refrain for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about refrain

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up refrain? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

orthography

Listen to the pronounciation of orthography

the way words of a language are spelled

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

  2. crawdad New novel makes waves

  3. non sequitur, sequitur Manafort judge addresses defense

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games