abstain

verb

Definition of abstainnext
as in to refuse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abstain Artificial flavors, while unappealing to some, have fueled relatively little controversy lately, in part because they are so clearly labeled and thus easy to avoid for those looking to abstain. — Ali Bouzari, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 Why people abstain from advance care planning One major barrier to advance care planning is that many people simply don’t know much about it. — Anisah Bagasra, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025 President Donald Trump has abstained from making security guarantees beyond an unsigned rare minerals agreement that would benefit the U.S. financially if private companies invest in Ukraine's natural resources. — Reuters and Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025 In March, for the first time, her party abstained on a European Parliament resolution in support of Kyiv. — Nathalie Tocci, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
  1. refuse
  2. reject
  3. turn down
  4. hesitate
  5. temporize
Verb
  • Instead, block unwanted calls and messages and refuse to provide financial information in response to an unexpected request.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Noboa refused to recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela after his staged 2024 election and is also committed to fighting criminal gangs with all available resources to restore peace and security in Ecuador.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • The best way to avoid the tariffs, Trump has told businesses, is to make goods inside the U.S. EU officials had suggested sector-specific zero-for-zero tariffs with the U.S., such as in industrial goods and autos, but Trump rejected the idea.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • There are plenty of glaring examples, such as Steve Jobs and Google being rejected by some of the world’s most renowned VCs (https://www.bvp.com/anti-portfolio).
    — Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of reject
Verb
  • Brighton turned down two significant bids from Saudi Arabia for the Japan international at the end of last week What type of offer might be enticing to Brighton and also to Mitoma?
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Last month, the Trump administration also turned down a request from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for a second deadline extension to apply for relief from the state following Hurricane Helene.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of turn down
Verb
  • This creates bottlenecks, where employees hesitate to act without approval.
    — Carlos Hoyos, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Inside Space Force: Here's What the New Agency Does To be sure, some countries may hesitate to align civilian space activities with a military alliance.
    — Andrew Hanna, Time, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • Romney's Cass took Obama to task for opposing development of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and for temporizing on the Keystone pipeline, while Obama's Aldy accused Romney of being insensitive to the environment and to the needs and desires of future generations.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2012
  • Accompanying these principles must be a rejection of the impulse to temporize about the dangers that confront us and a rejection of the bizarre deprecation of our nation and civilization.
    — Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022
Definition of temporize

Browse Nearby Words

absorption
abstain
abstained
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Cite this Entry

“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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