Synonyms for refrain
Definitions
- v. 1
To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain; to eschew
Related words
- Word family
- refrainer
Forms
- Past participle
- refrained
e.g. refrained → abstained, desisted, ceased, restrained…
Choose the right word
A person keeps a shop or store, conducts or carries on a business; he keeps or carries a certain line of goods; we may keep or restrain one from folly, crime, or violence; we keep from or refrain from evil, ourselves.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- cease Very few countries could cease trading with China.
- withhold The government began to withhold foreign reserves.
- restrain We tried to restrain him from his reckless action.
- abstain Tom was told to abstain from smoking and drinking.
- forbear I cannot forbear expressing my doubts.
By length
- 4 letters
- keep1, hold1, curb1
- 5 letters
- check1, spare1, cease1
- 6 letters
- desist2
- 7 letters
- abstain2, forbear
- 8 letters
- withhold2, restrain2
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (desist2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- s'abstenir