refrained; refraining; refrains
: to keep oneself from doing, feeling, or indulging in something and especially from following a passing impulse
refrained from having dessert
1
: a regularly recurring phrase or verse especially at the end of each stanza or division of a poem or song : chorus
also
: the musical setting of a refrain
2
: a comment or statement that is often repeated
Synonyms
Examples of refrain in a Sentence
Verb
I was going to make a joke but I refrained.
Noun
A common refrain among teachers these days is that the schools need more funding.
I didn't know the verses of the song, so I only sang on the refrain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Local authorities recently deployed security guards to remind tourists to refrain from unruly behaviors, including trespassing onto private premises and obstructing road traffic.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, angry independent members of Native American tribes called on the city to crack down on Related’s delays and refrain from approving anything until the developer submits a full plan.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
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Verb
Lawyers from the opposing sides came face to face in court for the first time on Monday, Feb. 3 for a pre-trial hearing, where the judge warned them to refrain from litigating the case in the public forum.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Local authorities recently deployed security guards to remind tourists to refrain from unruly behaviors, including trespassing onto private premises and obstructing road traffic.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Noun
More news: One MLB Team Matches Record for Most Losses Ever Projected By PECOTA
That's an all-too-familiar refrain for Rays fans, who have seen their team reach the World Series twice in 27 seasons, but still seek their first championship.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, angry independent members of Native American tribes called on the city to crack down on Related’s delays and refrain from approving anything until the developer submits a full plan.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for refrain
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Cite this Entry
“Refrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refrain. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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