refrain
verb (used without object)
to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed byfrom ).
had refrained
-
past perfectof refrain.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But, unlike Hezbollah, which attacked Israel on March 2, three days after the U.S. and Israeli campaign on Iran, the Houthis had refrained from helping their ally, until Monday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
Before her resignation, House Democratic leaders had refrained from publicly criticising Cherfilus-McCormick, saying they would wait to see the ethics committee's recommendation.
From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2026
Iran until Wednesday had refrained from attacking its neighbor Turkey.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
But with hundreds of patients and medical personnel inside, it had refrained from entering.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 15, 2023
We called for one of our number who had refrained from the dissection—Dr. John Trefusis—to attend the youth and ensure that he did not lay a hand of violence upon himself or any other.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
