as in abnegation
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Recent Examples of abstention
The recommendations were approved by 47 votes in favor, with two opposing votes and one abstention, Haberturk broadcaster reported.
—
Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The employees, who had been observing an eight-hour partial strike for three days since Saturday, enforced a 24-hour work abstention starting Tuesday morning.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
Thompson-Hernández’s discreet abstention from stereotypical depictions of poverty and gang life would be notable on its own, but that he de facto replaces them with visions of urban stableman who view horses like healers is a powerful substitution.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Violet’s parents had graciously chosen not to read it, which had spared us all a few embarrassing conversations, but their abstention had also deprived me of a cathartic victory over them for not believing in me.
—Andrew Martin, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstention
Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The employees, who had been observing an eight-hour partial strike for three days since Saturday, enforced a 24-hour work abstention starting Tuesday morning.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
Thompson-Hernández’s discreet abstention from stereotypical depictions of poverty and gang life would be notable on its own, but that he de facto replaces them with visions of urban stableman who view horses like healers is a powerful substitution.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Violet’s parents had graciously chosen not to read it, which had spared us all a few embarrassing conversations, but their abstention had also deprived me of a cathartic victory over them for not believing in me.
—Andrew Martin, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstention
Noun
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Not one for false abnegation of words distorted by smears, Rushdie doubles down on his right to freedom of expression, defending his dissent from religious orthodoxy.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Jan. 2026
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That, for me, feels like an abnegation of our responsibility in theater.—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Rather than give in to triskaidekaphobia (the fear or avoidance of 13), the crew is embracing it, or at least their connection to the last US launch to be similarly numbered.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
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What that survey obscures, however, is the cost of avoidance.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Monica’s mortification that summer of ’98 forms the backbone of Julia Langbein’s latest novel Dear Monica Lewinsky, out this month from Doubleday.—
Lilyanna D'Amato,
ARTnews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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The comments section features a piquant blend of solemnity, mortification, tastelessness, and transphobia, which accords with Moreschi’s reception in his lifetime.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Beyond their asceticism, the six members of the group - Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung - hail from different countries, including the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Frayne writes that some second- and third-century sects, such as the Encratites, Priscilliantists, and Manicheans, advocated against meat eating, typically as part of a broader asceticism that might also include celibacy.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Most periods of deferment and forbearance, during which no payments are due, don’t count.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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That's when borrowers enrolled in SAVE were placed into an administrative forbearance, while the legal challenges played out.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the beginning of her relationship with John, Carolyn’s central problem was that being part of the Kennedy family demanded some level of self-denial.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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On Ash Wednesday, many Christians go to church for a service that emphasizes the start of a season of reflection, self-denial and repentance from sin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On a call with reporters Monday, Wu defended the frugality of her FY27 spending plan amid calls for an audit of city and BPS spending by two city councilors.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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Are Flaubert and Beckett writers who felt terror about having children, and then sublimated this frugality into the discipline of their literary work?—
Aaron Matz,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Up until now, the convenience of a UST projector meant having to make some image quality sacrifices.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
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With a heavy emphasis on what works psychologically, seminars, books and college classes are trying to change how people approach climate change, by talking more about community and happiness than sacrifice.—
Seth Borenstein,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstention. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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