as in to refuse
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Recent Examples of abstain
The 15-member council voted 10-0, with five European nations abstaining.
—
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
After abstaining from making a purchase in January, Arsenal have significant work to do once the summer market starts in June.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
After abstaining for a long period, former users lose their tolerance to opioids; doses that were previously fine can become deadly.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Cutting off Canada would have subtler but no less extensive effects than abstaining from Mexican produce.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
After abstaining from making a purchase in January, Arsenal have significant work to do once the summer market starts in June.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
After abstaining for a long period, former users lose their tolerance to opioids; doses that were previously fine can become deadly.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Cutting off Canada would have subtler but no less extensive effects than abstaining from Mexican produce.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
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In hearings at the Constitutional Court, which is deliberating whether to formally remove Mr. Yoon from office, both Lieutenant General Lee and Lieutenant General Yeo refused to discuss details of their roles for fear that their testimony would be used against them during their own criminal trials.—
Choe Sang-Hun,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2025
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In response, the woman not only refused to bake a cake this year but also skipped the party altogether.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Albritton has rejected the idea of passing an open carry bill this year.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
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More than 16,000 of our members sent messages to Congress urging them to vote no on Trump's budget proposal and asking them to reject the Christian nationalist ploy to pit vulnerable communities against each other for the benefit of the few.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Oscar best picture winners ranked ahead of the 2025 Oscars Why these 3 Oscar winners turned down their Academy Awards Who is the best supporting actress Oscar winner ever?—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
26 Feb. 2025
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However, some might argue Cody Rhodes’ decision to accept or turn down The Rock’s offer to become the Corporate Champion is the biggest draw.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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These jets were responsible for Nasrallah's demise, and Israel will not hesitate to strike other Hezbollah leaders as necessary.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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By removing cost as an initial hurdle, companies can cast a wider net, reaching customers who might otherwise hesitate to make a purchase.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 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 12 Mar. 2025.
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