Synonyms for abstain
Definitions
- v. 1
Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.
In order to improve his health, Rob decided to abstain from smoking.
Related words
- Word family
- abstainer abstention abstemious abstinence abstinent
Forms
- Past participle
- abstained
e.g. abstained → refrained, forgone, refused, desisted…
Example sentences
- refuse I didn't really think Tom would refuse to do that.
- refrain I feel it's preferable to refrain from doing that.
- withhold The government began to withhold foreign reserves.
- forbear I cannot forbear expressing my doubts.
- avoid She started early in order to avoid the rush hour.
By length
- 5 letters
- avoid2, waive1, forgo2
- 6 letters
- refuse2, desist2, abjure
- 7 letters
- refrain2, forbear
- 8 letters
- withhold2
- 10 letters
- relinquish3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (avoid2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- abstenir
- Italiano
- astenersi
- Català
- abstenir-se