Synonyms of refrain (from)

refrain (from) 1 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keep (from)
• avoid
• withhold (from)
• abstain (from)
• forgo
• forego
• deny
• forbear
• refuse
• abjure
• shun
• check
• curb
• constrain
• inhibit
• eschew
• reject
• combat
• repudiate
• fight
• buck

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• succumb (to)
• bow (to)
• surrender (to)
• give in (to)
• concede (to)
• acquiesce (to)
• capitulate
• knuckle under (to)

refrainment

2 of 2

noun

as in restraint

the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others

students in the class should show some generosity and refrainment when critiquing the work of their fellow photographers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restraint
• discipline
• repression
• inhibition
• suppression
• composure
• constraint
• discretion
• reserve
• self-control
• possession
• self-restraint
• control
• continence
• self-command
• mastery
• will
• silence
• self-poise
• willpower
• distance
• command
• self-government
• self-discipline
• bashfulness
• self-mastery
• aloofness
• reticence
• self-censorship
• modesty
• detachedness
• self-denial
• shyness
• self-containment
• taciturnity
• self-possession

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incontinence
• disinhibition
• gratification
• indulgence
• uninhibitedness
• unconstraint
• frankness
• candor
• overindulgence
• bluntness
• unrestrainedness
• intemperance
• self-abandonment
• self-indulgence
• immoderacy