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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refrain (from)
avoid
Verb
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However, by sharing so much of Lisa's code, the interface practically demanded a pointing device, and the mouse was selected, even though Raskin had so carefully tried to avoid it.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025 -
These writers will work under the latest Public Television Freelance Agreement, which the WGA East ratified in December after a lengthy and sometimes contentious negotiation cycle with PBS, narrowly avoiding a strike.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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“Refrain (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refrain%20%28from%29. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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