REFRAIN (FROM) Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

refrain (from)

verb

ri-ˈfrān

Definition of refrain (from)

as in to keep (from)

to resist the temptation of couldn't refrain from ruffling her nephew's neatly combed hair whenever she saw him

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for refrain (from)

avoid

Verb

But Beijing has also sought to avoid domestic fuel shortages by limiting its own fuel exports.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Seven-nine percent said to avoid a ticket, 72 percent said to avoid a crash, and 60 percent said because of bad weather, according to the research.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of avoid

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“Refrain (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refrain%20%28from%29. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of refrain (from)

verb

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