Antonyms for refrain
rɪˈfreɪnre·frain

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 2 votes

1. refrain

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

   Preposition:
   Cease from anger.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.5 / 2 votes

1. refrain

   Antonyms:
   indulge, venture, continue, persist

   Synonyms:
   forbear, hold, abstain, keep, restrain, withhold, desist from

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:4.3 / 4 votes

1. refrain, chorusverb

   the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers

   Antonyms:
   move, act

   Synonyms:
   chorus line, chorus

2. refrain, forbearverb

   resist doing something

   "He refrained from hitting him back"; "she could not forbear weeping"

   Antonyms:
   move, act

   Synonyms:
   desist, forbear, hold back, abstain

3. abstain, refrain, desistverb

   choose not to consume

   "I abstain from alcohol"

   Antonyms:
   act, move

   Synonyms:
   desist, forbear, abstain

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

1. refrainverb

   Synonyms:
   restrain, curb, check, forbear, abstain, desist

How to use refrain in a sentence?

1. Chrystia Freeland:

   Canada does not conduct its diplomacy through ad hominem attacks ... and we refrain particularly from ad hominem attacks when it comes from a close ally.

2. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull:

   We urge all claimants in the South China Sea to refrain from any building of islands, any militarization of islands, any land reclamation, it is absolutely critical that we ensure that there is a lowering of tensions.

3. Ahmad Massoud:

   The National Resistance Front proposes that the Taliban stop its military operations in Panjshir Valley, Andarab, Parwan and Kapisa and withdraw its forces from Panjshir Valley and Andarab. In return, The National Resistance Front will direct The National Resistance Front forces to refrain from military action.

4. Christen Kuikoua:

   A promise made is a commitment to uphold; therefore, one who cannot honor their word should refrain from making promises.

5. Getty Images:

   More than 80 percent of the participants supported the holding of New Year's events and the festive decoration of the city, at the same time, 29 percent spoke in favor of the usual format of the celebration, and 52 percent suggested this time to refrain from mass street concerts.

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