Antonyms 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.

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

   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

   Preposition:
   Cease from anger.

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

1. abstain

   Antonyms:
   indulge, exceed, reveal, wanton

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

Matched Categories

1. • Refrain

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. abstainverb

   refrain from voting

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

   Synonyms:
   desist, refrain

2. abstain, refrain, desistverb

   choose not to consume

   "I abstain from alcohol"

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

   Synonyms:
   desist, forbear, refrain

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

1. abstainverb

   Antonyms:
   indulge

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

Editors ContributionRate these antonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. accept

   instead of leaving, you're taking it

   Submitted by anonymous on October 7, 2019  

2. nisus

   Submitted by anonymous on November 24, 2020  

3. recidivism

   to refrain from or have restraint against

   the rate of probationer abstinence over the last two years is 87%. (as opposed to stating the negative - the rate of re-offending is 13%)

   Submitted by rinat on June 15, 2017  

How to use abstain in a sentence?

1. Le Drian:

   I encouraged Iran to be constructive, i called on Iran to abstain from any further violation of its current commitments in the nuclear domain that could threaten the movement toward resumed discussions.

2. Plutarch:

   Abstain from beans.

3. Azeem Ibrahim:

   I was surprised that( Muslim countries) would put it in writing and put their names on it and sign a document to actually praise China, it's one thing to keep quiet and abstain. It's another thing to overtly support( the policies) when there was no need for them to do so.

4. Augustine of Hippo:

   To abstain from sin when one can no longer sin is to be forsaken by sin, not to forsake it.

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.

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