abstain

American  

[ab-steyn] / æbˈsteɪn /

verb (used without object)

1. to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy (usually followed byfrom ).

   to abstain from eating meat.

   Synonyms:

   cease, desist, forbear

   Antonyms:

   indulge

2. to refrain from casting one's vote.

   a referendum in which two delegates abstained.

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abstain British  

/ əbˈsteɪn /

verb

1. to choose to refrain

   he abstained from alcohol

2. to refrain from voting, esp in a committee, legislature, etc

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Other Word Forms

• abstainer noun
• nonabstaining adjective
• overabstain verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of abstain

1350–1400; Middle English abste ( i ) nen < Middle French abstenir ≪ Latin abstinēre, equivalent to abs- abs- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold, keep

Example Sentences

Although she did not agree a deal for the new budget Jane Dodds, the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and the party's only MS, said she would also be abstaining on the budget.

From BBC

Some 39% of young men say they had abstained from alcohol.

From BBC

It has been speculated that Scottish Labour could abstain - which would ensure that the Budget bill passed - after leader Anas Sarwar said his MSPs would not make the Budget fall.

From BBC

The basics of a no-spend—or low-spend, depending on your personal definition—challenge are just that: for a predetermined period of time, you abstain from nonessential purchases.

From Salon

The local school board voted to fire her, although most members abstained from the vote in protest.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cease
• forgo
• pass up
• quit
• refrain
• renounce
• shun
• withhold