as in to refuse
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Recent Examples of abstain
While previous studies have shown that light-to-moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with a lower heart disease risk compared to those who abstained from alcohol, the benefits were diminished or completely negated when adjusted for certain lifestyle factors, Aragam explained.
—
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2025
While the United States abstained from pursuing an affirmative industrial policy, China did not.
—Katherine Tai, Foreign Affairs, 9 Jan. 2025
Damp January, compared to Dry January represents a softer approach to limiting alcohol assumption – as the resolution is to reduce alcohol consumption versus abstaining totally.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 Jan. 2025
Many participants report feeling more emotionally stable and broadly more positive after abstaining.
6.
—Lela London, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for abstain 
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2025
While the United States abstained from pursuing an affirmative industrial policy, China did not.
—Katherine Tai, Foreign Affairs, 9 Jan. 2025
Damp January, compared to Dry January represents a softer approach to limiting alcohol assumption – as the resolution is to reduce alcohol consumption versus abstaining totally.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 Jan. 2025
Many participants report feeling more emotionally stable and broadly more positive after abstaining.
6.
—Lela London, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
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Three were transported to nearby hospitals to receive treatments, and one refused medical help.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
11 Feb. 2025
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For that reason, employers often reserve the right to refuse some requests.—
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Jordan is home to more than 2 million Palestinians and, along with other Arab states, has flatly rejected Mr. Trump's plan to relocate civilians from Gaza.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
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But Hamas has accused Israel of dragging its feet on allowing aid into Gaza, one of the conditions of the first phase of the agreement, a charge Israel has rejected as untrue.—
James Mackenzie, Emily Rose,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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First, comic Albert Brooks, then considered a rising star among a new breed of comedians, turned down a suggestion to serve as the programs' permanent host, urging NBC to hire a rotating lineup of guest hosts instead.—
Eric Deggans,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2025
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Alex Bregman reportedly agreed to join the Red Sox on Wednesday, but not before turning down more money from the Detroit Tigers.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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When asked for his prediction of who would win tournament MVP if Finland were to win the 4 Nations, Roope Hintz didn’t hesitate very long.—
Arpon Basu,
The Athletic,
11 Feb. 2025
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Don’t hesitate to express your concerns, share your goals, or ask for guidance.—
Nick Blackmer,
Verywell Health,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Romney's Cass took Obama to task for opposing development of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and for temporizing on the Keystone pipeline, while Obama's Aldy accused Romney of being insensitive to the environment and to the needs and desires of future generations.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Oct. 2012
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near abstain
Cite this Entry
“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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