Synonyms for abstain
æbˈsteɪnab·stain

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:2.7 / 9 votes

1. abstainverb

   Synonyms:
   refrain, deny, withhold, relinquish, forbear, give up, forgo

2. abstainverb

   Refrain from (something); hold one's self aloof; to forbear or keep from doing, especially an indulgence of the passions or appetites; -- with from.

   Synonyms:
   refrain, withhold, forgo, give up, deny, relinquish, forbear

3. abstainverb

   To shun voluntarily.

   Synonyms:
   deny, refrain, give up, forgo, withhold, relinquish, forbear

4. abstainverb

   Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.

   Synonyms:
   forgo, forbear, deny, give up, refrain, withhold, relinquish

5. abstainverb

   Hinder; withhold.

   Synonyms:
   forbear, withhold, refrain, forgo, relinquish, give up, deny

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. abstain

   Strains of music may gradually or suddenly cease. A man quits work on the instant; he may discontinue a practise gradually; he quits suddenly and completely; he stops short in what he may or may not resume; he pauses in what he will probably resume. What intermits or is intermitted returns again, as a fever that intermits. Compare ABANDON; DIE; END; REST.

   Synonyms:
   bring to an end, cease, come to an end, conclude, desist, discontinue, end, end, finish, give over, intermit, leave off, pause, quit, refrain, stop, terminate

   Antonyms:
   begin, commence, enter upon, inaugurate, initiate, institute, originate, set about, set going, set in operation, set on foot, start

   Preposition:
   Cease from anger.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.0 / 3 votes

1. abstain

   Synonyms:
   refrain, forbear, refuse, demur, avoid, cease, stop, keep back, desist, discontinue, withhold, scruple

   Antonyms:
   indulge, exceed, reveal, wanton

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. abstainverb

   refrain from voting

   Synonyms:
   desist, refrain

   Antonyms:
   take in, consume, have, take, ingest

2. abstain, refrain, desistverb

   choose not to consume

   "I abstain from alcohol"

   Synonyms:
   desist, forbear, refrain

   Antonyms:
   take in, have, ingest, take, consume

Matched Categories

1. • Refrain

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. abstainverb

   Synonyms:
   refrain, forbear, desist, deny one's self, hold or keep one's self back, stay one's hand, keep one's self from indulgence

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. abstainverb

   Synonyms:
   forbear, refrain, withhold, deny one's self

   Antonyms:
   indulge

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "abstain":

   refrain, abstention, abstaining, desist, forbear, abstentions

How to pronounce abstain?

How to say abstain in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use abstain in a sentence?

1. Marie Antoinette:

   It would be doing me great injustice to think that I have any feeling of indifference to my country; I have more reason than anyone to feel, every day of my life, the value of the blood which flows in my veins, and it is only from prudence that at times I abstain from showing how proud I am of it.

2. Greg Poling:

   The value of the case is the long term reputational damage and the pressure ... on the Chinese. That only works if you have a big coalition that can keep this in the public eye, but if the Chinese ... get a ton of countries to abstain that deflects a lot of that criticism.

3. Niccolò Machiavelli:

   I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for neither of these weaken the enemy, but threats make him more cautious, and the other excites his hatred, and a desire to revenge himself.

4. Epictetus:

   All philosophy lies in two words Sustain and Abstain.

5. Antonio Barroso:

   The pact between the Socialists and Ciudadanos is aimed at tagging the PP and especially Podemos with the blame of potential new elections if they do not abstain to facilitate a Sanchez-led administration, the strategy is to force Podemos to assume the cost of voting alongside the PP, and to accuse incumbent Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of irresponsible behavior for not wanting to support a reasonable, encompassing reformist agreement.