as in to refuse
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Recent Examples of abstain
Of the 83 senators submitting votes at the June meeting, 58% voted yes, 35% voted no and 7% abstained, according to The Denver Clarion, DU’s student newspaper.
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Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Their 'Good Intentions' mocktail, a symphony of Tennyson N/A Spirit, strawberries and floral flair, is a refreshing slap in the face to those who think abstaining means bland.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
If it's caught in time, fat and scarring in the liver can be reversed by abstaining from alcohol, German said.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
The operating and capital budgets passed on the same margins (McCraney abstained from the capital budget vote due to her relationship with Simmons College of Kentucky).
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Their 'Good Intentions' mocktail, a symphony of Tennyson N/A Spirit, strawberries and floral flair, is a refreshing slap in the face to those who think abstaining means bland.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
If it's caught in time, fat and scarring in the liver can be reversed by abstaining from alcohol, German said.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
The operating and capital budgets passed on the same margins (McCraney abstained from the capital budget vote due to her relationship with Simmons College of Kentucky).
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
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The ad has been slammed by some online as a Nazi-like pro-eugenics racist propaganda, while others have cheered the company and actress for refusing to apologize in the wake of social media outrage, which many view as a bad-faith take on something that’s meant to be playful.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
31 July 2025
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Yet, despite urgent calls to evacuate, numerous passengers fumble with overhead compartments, refusing to leave their carry-ons behind.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Allies and Trump aides also reject the notion that Trump is airing any new skepticism of Israel.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
29 July 2025
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While there can be many other reasons why your application is rejected, a qualifiable versus quantifiable resume could be a contributing factor.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
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This opening bid is likely to be the start of a process that may only conclude if Newcastle receive an offer that is too good to turn down and source a suitable replacement.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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However, even some small degree of school funding will likely be enough to turn down the temperature and school finance isn’t likely to be the deciding factor when Abbott is next on the ballot in 2026, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a professor of political science at the University of Houston.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
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But in volatile and uncertain times, many leaders hesitate to act, and others simply freeze up.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
31 July 2025
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If you’re selected for an interview, don’t hesitate to ask the hiring manager whether a degree is truly required or if relevant experience counts.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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.—
Peter J. Travers,
National Review,
29 Mar. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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