as in to refuse
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Recent Examples of abstain
Hegseth promised to abstain if he was confirmed.
—
Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Organizers advised people to abstain from engaging with counter protesters and stick together as the event began to unfold.
—Alex Gladden, Oklahoman, 28 Mar. 2026
At the program, which costs around $1,000 a day, clients must abstain from smartphones, gaming, social media, and other technologies—often for months, and undergo intensive therapy sessions.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
In choosing to abstain from noisy pedal effects and clanging cymbals, Landowner whip up far more entrancing patterns that thrive in the tidiness.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Organizers advised people to abstain from engaging with counter protesters and stick together as the event began to unfold.
—Alex Gladden, Oklahoman, 28 Mar. 2026
At the program, which costs around $1,000 a day, clients must abstain from smartphones, gaming, social media, and other technologies—often for months, and undergo intensive therapy sessions.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
In choosing to abstain from noisy pedal effects and clanging cymbals, Landowner whip up far more entrancing patterns that thrive in the tidiness.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
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But when the symptoms refused to fade, an MRI revealed something far worse.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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Others rely on patience, research, and the fact that the ground itself refuses to be reduced to one easy headline.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The court rejected the argument, concluding that a prospective rate hearing — unlike that on the response time — would be considered contested and the utility would have the opportunity to challenge the finding of imprudence then.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
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The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The younger brother had turned down a plea deal in 2023 from the state’s attorney to serve 25 years behind bars for the charge of accessory to murder.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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The board turned down the move to conduct its own investigation, reasoning there’s no need for it because top state education officials are already handling it.—
Natalie La Roche Pietri,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mazzulla, who’s trumpeted the Celtics depth at every turn this season, shouldn’t hesitate to use it if his starters stumble on Saturday.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
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That level of detail can make even cautious people hesitate.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Assad lied and temporized, the official said.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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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 2 May. 2026.
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