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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Nevertheless, a select few, like then San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson who famously sported a thick black beard, refused to so much as meet with the Yankees because of the rule.—
Marc Edelman,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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Frame refuses to bask in her exceptionalism, her almost miraculous escape.—
Audrey Wollen,
The New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Never the favorite of his party's professional advisers, Merz was twice rejected as Merkel's successor as party leader, in 2018 and 2021, before his doggedness won out in 2022.—
Thomas Escritt,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
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Today, far-right parties like the AfD seek to embrace a different model that rejects political integration in favor of an economic union along the lines of earlier, postwar integration.—
TIME,
TIME,
23 Feb. 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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If someone pops up out of the blue, don’t hesitate to connect with them.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2025
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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
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 10 Mar. 2025.
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