abstention

[ ab-sten-shuhn ]

/ æbˈstɛn ʃən /

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See synonyms for: abstention / abstentious on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act or instance of abstaining.

withholding of a vote.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of abstention

1515–25; <Late Latin abstentiōn- (stem of abstentiō), equivalent to Latin abstent(us), past participle of abstinēre to abstain + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM abstention

ab·sten·tious, adjectivenon·ab·sten·tion, nounun·ab·sten·tious, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abstention

abstention , abstinence

Words nearby abstention

absquatulate, ABS resin, abstain, abstainer, abstemious, abstention, abstentionism, abstergent, abstersive, abstinence, abstinence syndrome

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use abstention in a sentence

For most of us, the best response to these risks is not complete abstention, but moderate and communal enjoyment of beer and wine.
The Pandemic Changed How We Drink. It's Time to Go Back to the Joy of Social Drinking|Edward Slingerland|December 30, 2021|Time
Israel's ambassador to Germany, Yakov Hadas-Handelsmann, expressed his surprise about Germany's U.N. abstention.
Israel And Germany's Not-So-Special Relationship|Kate Connolly|December 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In this circumstance, an abstention was unfavorable to Israel.
The Vote And The Holocaust|Edward S. Goldstein|November 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The total number of voters in Venezuela is 18 million, and 25 percent abstention is expected.
Could Hugo Chávez Really Lose Venezuela’s Election?|Boris Muñoz|October 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Coined the 'Janopause' by the Daily Mail, it requires just one month of abstention.
The 'Janopause' Detox Debate|Nora Zelevansky|January 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A second diplomat told the Daily Beast that a Chinese abstention may be "inevitable."
Punishing the Mullahs|Michael Adler|February 10, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But M. Nicklauss, with his great experience of the world, deemed this almost general abstention of the fair sex unnatural.
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet
He has not been there since, and the following pages will perhaps explain the reason of his abstention.
Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4)|Various
The abstention of a single sense from the coupling is enough to enfeeble the pleasure very greatly.
The Natural Philosophy of Love|Remy de Gourmont
A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity in the affairs of others.
The Devil's Dictionary|Ambrose Bierce
If he were not going to build on the ground so carefully prepared, to what end this wariness and this abstention?
The Long Night|Stanley Weyman

British Dictionary definitions for abstention

abstention

/ (əbˈstɛnʃən) /

noun

a voluntary decision not to act; the act of refraining or abstaining

the act of withholding one's vote

Derived forms of abstention

abstentious, adjective

Word Origin for abstention

C16: from Late Latin abstentiōn-, from Latin abstinēre. See abstain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

abstention

Origin of abstention

OTHER WORDS FROM abstention

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abstention

Words nearby abstention

Words related to abstention

How to use abstention in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abstention

Derived forms of abstention

Word Origin for abstention