as in to refuse
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Recent Examples of abstain
In his new book on Capra, Sam Wasson describes the director’s defiance of Columbia Pictures’ skimpy ad budgets as well as his willingness to challenge the rule that filmmakers abstain from the sales hustle.
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Peter Bart,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
Wieckowski said Lofgren and other Democratic leaders petitioned candidates in the full-term primary election on June 2 to abstain from running in the special election so Wieckowski could hold the seat through Swalwell’s current term.
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Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Festivities and rituals build in intensity over Holy Week, culminating in an eight-hour, overnight service that ends with the breaking of a 55-day fast in which believers abstain from meat and animal products.
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ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Those fasting must abstain from consuming meat.
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Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
Wieckowski said Lofgren and other Democratic leaders petitioned candidates in the full-term primary election on June 2 to abstain from running in the special election so Wieckowski could hold the seat through Swalwell’s current term.
—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Festivities and rituals build in intensity over Holy Week, culminating in an eight-hour, overnight service that ends with the breaking of a 55-day fast in which believers abstain from meat and animal products.
—
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Those fasting must abstain from consuming meat.
—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
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Hamas’ statement made no mention of disarmament, one of the key requirements under the second phase of the ceasefire deal, which the group has so far refused.
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To conceal the theft from his investors, Correia refused to disclose his company’s financial records and gave false positive updates on SnoOwl’s status.
Verb
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Critics see it as another attempt to breathe life into claims that courts, investigators and election officials have repeatedly rejected — and another corrosive attempt to undermine faith in the state’s vote.
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Questioning, if not rejecting, established Christian doctrine, Ahab also comes to regard Moby Dick as the outward and visible sign, the physical embodiment of the indifference or, worse, utter malignity inherent in the universe.
Verb
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If anything, the future Hall of Famer sure appeared to enjoy his time back home, which was a major reason why Leonard initially turned down a royal life in Canada to play for Southern California’s other team.
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The Pima County Sheriff's Office turned down help in the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie from the United Cajun Navy, the organization claimed.
Verb
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When King asked if the unnamed celebrity was the one, Brown didn't hesitate.
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The girls don’t hesitate to lay into him either with Trinity, Melanie, and Aniya all coming to Kenzie’s impassioned defense.
Verb
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Assad lied and temporized, the official said.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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