Synonyms of refrain (from)

refrain (from)

verb

ri-ˈfrān 

as in to keep (from)

to resist the temptation of

couldn't refrain from ruffling her nephew's neatly combed hair whenever she saw him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keep (from)
• avoid
• withhold (from)
• abstain (from)
• forgo
• forego
• deny
• forbear
• refuse
• abjure
• shun
• check
• curb
• constrain
• inhibit
• eschew
• reject
• combat
• repudiate
• fight
• buck

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• succumb (to)
• bow (to)
• surrender (to)
• give in (to)
• concede (to)
• acquiesce (to)
• capitulate
• knuckle under (to)