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
-
That ambiguity reflects a desire to maintain strategic flexibility and avoid premature entanglement in a potential war.—
Frank Lavin,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025 -
Xi needs to shore up government finances, consolidate industries, and avoid further international barriers to Chinese exports and investment.—
Scott Kennedy,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
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“Refrain (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refrain%20%28from%29. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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