refrain
verb (used without object)
to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed byfrom ).
were refraining
-
past progressiveof refrain.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Firefighters were refraining from actively fighting the fire there as of Tuesday afternoon, Berg said, referring to the incident as a “humanitarian crisis.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2021
He also greeted prelates with a handshake at the beginning and end of the gathering, but it appeared most clergy were refraining from kissing Francis’ ring or embracing him, as they normally would do.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 26, 2020
For once the combatants, with an effort, were refraining from drink.
From The Sword Maker by Robert Barr
