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abstain

Definition for abstain

verb as in hold back from doing

Strongest matches

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

Strong matches

abjure, abnegate, avoid, constrain, curb, decline, eschew, evade, fast, forbear, pass, refuse, spurn, starve, stop

Weak matches

deny oneself, do without, fence-sit, give the go by, give up, go on the wagon, keep from, sit on one's hands, sit on the fence, sit out, take the cure, take the pledge

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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.

The text was adopted in a 13-0 vote, with permanent members China and Russia abstaining.

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The text was adopted late Thursday by 21 votes, with six lawmakers abstaining.

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The Scottish Greens abstained, saying it fell far short of what Scotland needed – and accusing the SNP of failing to stand up to landed elites.

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Prof McCallion said it was possible some NDP members of Parliament would abstain from voting to allow the budget to pass.

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The left-wing New Democrats, who no longer have official party status in parliament after a dismal election performance in April, may prove reluctant to trigger another vote and could abstain on Carney's budget.

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From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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